Tecumseh State Correctional Institution

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arhunt Posted: 5 Aug 2007 11:06 AM

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Tecumseh State Correctional Institution

Phone:
(402) 335-5998

The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) was established by LB 150 in 1997. In the spring of 1998 a site two miles north of Tecumseh, Nebraska on Highway 50 was selected for the institution and ground was broken in December of the same year. Hiring of initial staff commenced in late spring 2000. TSCI began accepting inmates in December 2001.

All inmates at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution are males adjudicated as adults and classified as medium or maximum custody. (Approximately 30 Minimum Custody inmates are housed at TSCI for outside grounds, administration building and warehouse jobs.) The institution has a design capacity for 960 inmates, which includes 768 non-special management beds, 32 min. B, 32 SAU, 64 PC beds, and a 192-bed special management unit for Administrative Segregation, Disciplinary Segregation and Intensive Management inmates. Death Row inmates will be housed at TSCI but the death penalty will continue to be administered at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, Nebraska.

TSCI uses a Unit Management concept designed to improve control and staff/inmate relationships by dividing the larger institution population into smaller, more manageable groups and to improve and personalize the delivery of rehabilitative services.

Programs:

Mental Health Counseling (GOLF), ABE/GED, College Correspondence Courses, Substance Abuse Counseling, Residential and Non-Residential, Alcoholics Anonymous, self betterment clubs, volunteer activities, pre-release programs, English as a Second Language (ESL), work programs to include traditional facility work programs, and Cornhusker State Industries.

Inmates at the facility are afforded educational opportunities provided by Metropolitan Community College. Additionally, the facility attempts to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the inmates through the programs and services of the religious activities. Treatment programming is always at capacity due to the sizable number of drug and sex offenders at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. The facility is always looking for committed citizens that have an interest in helping our inmates as volunteers. Volunteers are a vital part of our restorative programming. Through programming, the facility has been able to reduce inmate idleness.

Visiting Hours for Approved Visitors:

* Segregation video visitation is held seven days a week at the following times: 8-10 am, 12-3 pm, and 5-7 pm.

Tecumseh State Correctional Institution Visiting Procedures

Directions to the Institution:

Located two miles north of Tecumseh, Nebraska on the west side of Highway 50.

From Lincoln, Nebraska: Highway 2 east of Lincoln to Highway 50, then right (south) on Highway 50 for 18 miles OR Highway 77 south of Lincoln to Highway 41 then left (east) to Highway 50 then right (south) for 1 1/2 miles.

From Omaha, Nebraska: From Interstate 80, Exit 440 (near Sapp Brothers Truck Stop) take Highway 50 south for approximately 54 miles.

For More Information: Please contact Becky Mencl, Public Information Officer at 402-335-5113, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

INMATE NOTIFICATION OF VISITING PROCEDURES

Written information regarding procedures governing visitation will be made available to inmates within 24 hours of their arrival at the institution. At a minimum, the information will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Institution address/phone number, directions to the institution and information about local transportation.
2. Days and hours of visitation.
3. Approved dress code and identification requirements for visitors.
4. Items authorized in the visiting room.
5. Special rules for children.
6. Special visits (for example: family emergencies).

For specific information regarding visitation policies for all instituions, please click here.

Each inmate is responsible for notifying his/her family and friends if they are approved or denied for visiting privileges or if visiting privileges have been suspended or terminated.

VISITING APPLICATIONS

Visitors will not generally be permitted to visit prior to submittal of the authorized visiting forms and approval by the warden/superintendent/or designee. False or incomplete information on this form may cause visiting privileges to be denied.

Persons 19 years of age and above- (1) must complete/submit individual Visitation Request Form (VRF) to the warden/superintendent/or designee; (2) may include names/ages of minor children up to age 12 on this VRF; (3) may visit without parent or guardian.

Persons 12 through 18 years of age Ç (1) must complete/submit individual VRF to the warden/superintendent designee; (2) must be accompanied on visit by parent, legal guardian or court appointed agent or other authorized adult (age 19 or above); (3) must submit notarized permission letter from parent, guardian or court appointed agent to visit in company with another authorized adult; (4) parent, legal guardian, court appointed agent or another authorized adult who accompanies said minor must also be on the inmate's approved visiting list.

Persons 0 through 11 years of age - (1) must have names included on VRF of parent, legal guardian, court appointed agent or other authorized adult (19 years or older); (2) must be accompanied on visit by parent, legal guardian, court appointed agent or authorized adult;

(3) must present a notarized permission letter from parent, guardian, etc. in order to visit with another authorized adult; (4) any adult authorized to accompany the minor child on a visit must be on the inmate's visiting list.

Additional offspring (newborn or adopted) may be added to the inmate's visiting list by sending a letter to the warden/superintendent/or designee.

Minors who are married do not need parental or legal guardian consent to visit their spouse, but must be an approved visitor via the Visitation Request Form process. They also will be required to present a copy of their marriage license along with the Visitation Request Form.

Persons with criminal records are not automatically excluded from visiting. In determining whether or not to approve a person with a criminal record, the nature and extent of that person's criminal record, plus his/her history of recent criminal activity is weighed carefully against the benefits of visitation. The warden/superintendent/or designee shall retain final authority to review, assess and approve/disapprove applications to visit. Appeals of denials to visit must be submitted in writing to the warden/superintendent/or designee. Note: Failure to list previous criminal convictions on the VRF can result in denial of visiting privileges.

1. Generally, parolees, probationers or persons having pending charges will not be granted permission to visit during service of sentence and ex-felons will not be granted permission to visit for three (3) years after expiration of sentence, except for immediate family who may be considered at the end of one (1) year. The warden/superintendent/or designee may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
2. Exception may be made for a spouse/immediate family member who may be allowed to visit once a month by special approval from the warden/superintendent/or designee. It will be the responsibility of the spouse/immediate family member seeking visiting privileges while on probation/parole to provide, with the VRF, a letter from the supervising probation/parole officer recommending either approval or denial of visiting privileges.
3. Ex-misdemeanants will not be granted permission to visit for six (6) months after expiration of sentence. Immediate family may be considered after three (3) months.
4. The warden/superintendent/or designee must approve all Visitors Request Forms (VRF) submitted by the victim of sexual offense, if such information is known by institution staff.
5. Immediate family members having pending misdemeanor/felony charges may be considered for monthly special visits pending resolution of the charges.
6. An NCIC (National Crime Information Center) computer check to verify visitor identity and to ensure the accuracy of VRF information will be done on all visit applicants submitting a VRF (both adults and minors).
7. Visiting lists of inmates who are paroled will be deleted from the record. If the parolee is revoked, he/she will be required to resubmit Visiting Request Forms for processing.

VISITING LISTS

An inmate may receive visits from anyone he/she chooses subject to the approval of the warden/superintendent/or designee. In making his/her determination, the warden/superintendent/or designee shall consider the effect that the presence of such visitor(s) shall have on the institution, its staff or the inmates confined within, and the probable effect such presence shall have upon the rehabilitative progress of the inmate to be visited. Visitors may also be refused admission to the institution for failure to abide by the rules and regulations. Such statement shall also indicate the reasons for the action. Inmates may grieve such action.

HOLIDAYS

Inmates will be allowed visits on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, regardless of the days upon which the holiday falls. All other holidays will be treated as any other day relative to whether or not visits are allowed. If these other holidays fall on regular visiting days, then visits will be allowed, but if they are on non-visit days, then no visits will be allowed.

SPECIAL AND EMERGENCY VISITS

This visiting process is to accommodate immediate family members on the inmate's approved visiting list who visit infrequently (less than one visit per month) because of long distance (more than 200 miles from the institution) or due to limitations imposed upon the institution due to space or staffing restrictions. For the purpose of visiting, immediate family shall be defined as: spouse, parent, step-parent, person acting in the place of parent (as documented in the master record), sibling, step-brother, step-sister, half-brother, half-sister, child, step-child, and grandparent and grandchild. Special/emergency visits may also be granted for reasons of hospitalization or for inmates in segregation status when the security or the good order of the institution/community is not jeopardized. Persons not on an inmate's approved visiting list, but who may be considered for special visiting privileges include prospective employers, attorneys, members of the clergy, and social service representatives. These people may be able to offer valuable assistance to inmates and, therefore, shall be allowed to visit with the approval of the warden/superintendent/or designee.

SEGREGATION VISITS

1. Administrative segregation occurs when an inmate needs to be segregated but no disciplinary sanctions have been imposed. Generally, inmates in this classification shall have similar visiting privileges as those afforded to the general population. However, visits may be denied for reasons of security or for the good order of the institution.
2. Disciplinary segregation occurs when an inmate loses some privileges as a result of disciplinary action. Inmates in this status may be denied visits for reasons of security or for the good order of the institution. If granted, visits may be for a duration of two (2) hours. The warden/superintendent/or designee may authorize longer visits, depending upon a review of the circumstances and approval.
3. Inmates housed in the Special Management Unit (SMU) at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) will conduct visits via televisiting. Visitors will utilize a televisiting booth located in the TSCI Gate House (Front Entrance) and the inmates will utilize a televisiting booth in the SMU. These visits are no contact.

ENTRANCE INTO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

Each adult visitor, upon admission to the institution, will be required to verify his/her identity and provide other vital information requested by the warden/superintendent/or designee. Proper identification documents include an official photo ID (Driver's License, military ID, etc.) All visitors shall be searched prior to being allowed entrance into any correctional institution. ION scanner and Canine searches of visitors may take place. Trained personnel shall conduct searches of all visitors entering the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services institutions.

APPROVED ITEMS WHICH CAN BE BROUGHT TO VISITING

Visitors are permitted the following items in the visiting room:

1. Heart medication and asthma medication in the original container. Other medication may not be taken into the visiting area without approval from the warden/superintendent/or designee or the institution's physician.
2. Infant necessities such as diapers, formula (empty bottle, unopened can of ready-to-serve formula). Simple, non-weapon, non-metal type toys, with no removable parts, and without wheels are allowed. Toys must be able to be searched. (Dolls, stuffed toys and books will not be permitted.) One toy per child will only be allowed for pre-school aged children only (infant to 5 years).
3. Where paper currency is not authorized, visitors may bring up to ten ($10) in change for use in the vending machines where vending machines are available.
4. No vending machine items may be taken back to the housing unit by the inmate.
5. Except as authorized in the following, all visitors' personal property shall be secured in their vehicles or in lockers where provided by the institution:
1. Sufficient identification to verify the visitor status/relationship.
2. One (1) comb, one (1) watch, one (1) handkerchief, jewelry as appropriate, one (1) religious medallion/headwear, and one (1) pair of prescription glasses.
3. Authorized medical prosthetic appliances, such as wheelchairs, canes, artificial limbs, hearing aides, crutches, med-alert jewelry, etc.

VISITOR DRESS CODE

When visiting the correctional facilities, casual attire is appropriate. However, clothing should not be distracting or offensive to inmates or other visitors. The following modes of dress are inappropriate for visitation at a correctional institution:

1. Shorts and Capri pants (10 years of age or under are excluded.)
2. Skirts/dresses/skorts/culottes less than knee length (top of knee)(10 years of age or under are excluded)
3. Halter-tops, tube tops or other clothing revealing bare shoulders, bare midriff or any part of the breast.
4. Tights/leggings and stirrup pants (10 years of age or under are excluded)
5. See-through clothing
6. Not wearing under garments (i.e. females must wear panty hose and/or underwear and bra, males must wear underwear/undershorts). Female visitors are encouraged to wear slacks or pants.

Telephone

1. It is the policy of the Department of Correctional Services to permit inmates reasonable and equitable access to telephone service for the purpose of maintaining family and community contacts and to supplement other forms of communication with their attorneys and the courts. Telephone usage by inmates is a privilege that may be restricted or withheld to protect the public, to ensure the safety, security, or good order of the Department, and to enforce Department rules and statutes.
2. Rates are not established by the Department of Correctional Services. Rates are approved by the Public Service Commission. Time of day and mileage parameters along with applicable surcharges determine the cost of a call. Calls are billed in one (1) minute increments.
3. Inmate Calling System will not recognize standard answering machines or privacy features. Having these features will cause the telephone system to automatically cut off incoming calls from institutional facilities. Families and inmates may try to coordinate calling times on both sides, so connections can be made.
4. To address telephone blocks, the public may contact 1-800-844-6591. Some telephone blocks may also be initiated by customers in the community with their own phone company. The local service carrier should be contacted for removal of this type of block. When a block is accidentally put on by a family member, it can be removed one time by contacting the superintendent/warden/or designee in writing, requesting same (including their name, address and phone number and inmate name and number).

MAIL

It is the policy of the Department that inmates committed to its custody be allowed access to the mails (excluding electronic mail) so long as state and federal laws and regulations governing the use of the mails are not violated and security, safety or good order of the institution is not threatened.

There are rules regarding what may be contained in a letter or package sent in to an inmate. Any contraband found in the mail will be confiscated. Contraband is any item or article not issued by the facility, purchased in the canteen, purchased through approved channels, or approved by the warden/superintendent or designee.

The following are reasons that mail may be returned to the sender (list not inclusive of all reasons mail may be returned):

• the mail contains threats of physical harm against a person, threats or plans of criminal activity, threats of blackmail or extortion, promotes gang activities, advocates or describes participation in illegal activities
• certain photos (this varies greatly from institution to institution)
• blank stationary, stamped envelopes or cards, and stamps
• any violent, racial, obscene or gang material
• any mail with stickers, taped, pasted or glued surfaces
• any mail with questionable stains
• plastic novelty cards or musical greeting cards
• laminated or glued together greeting card
• the envelope contains letter to more than one inmate
• the letter contains another letter from a person in a correctional facility (third person mailing)

There will be some property that will be held for the inmate and returned upon release if it is sent in such as: driver's license, birth certificate, social security card or a vehicle title. These items are considered contraband and the inmate may not have possession of them. The confiscated items will be returned to the inmate upon his/her release from the institution. (See Inmate Classification, page 13-14.)

MONEY

An inmate may receive funds from family and friends. He/she may not receive funds from another inmate (which includes a person on parole), a relative of another inmate, a person registered on the visiting list of another inmate, a person sending funds at the request of another inmate, or a volunteer. All funds sent to an inmate must include the name (first and last) and the address of the sender. That must be written on the instrument or the envelope so that the information may be placed on the inmate's institutional account. Funds that do not have the complete information will be placed on the inmate's confiscated account until he/she is released.

An immediate family member may send funds to more than one inmate relative with the institution's warden/superintendent/or designee's prior approval. The definition of immediate family member is spouse, parent, step-parent, person acting in place of parent, sibling, step-brother/sister, half-brother/sister, child, step-child, and grandparent.

Money orders, cashier's checks or personal checks are acceptable. Any money order or check for $1,000.00 or more and all personal checks will be frozen on the inmate's account for 21 calendar days so that it may clear the banking system. Cash or Travelers checks will not be accepted and will be returned to the sender.

All funds sent to an inmate must be made payable to his/her committed name or both committed name and legal name. The inmate's identification number must be written on the check or money order and the envelope. All funds should be sent to the inmate at the institution he/she is currently housed. Funds may not be sent to offenders at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook.

USE OF FUNDS

An inmate may use his/her institutional account funds for:

1. The support of immediate family (spouse, parent, step-parent, person acting in the place of parent (as documented in their institutional file), sibling, step-brother/sister, half-brother/sister, child, step-child, grandparent, and individual providing support for the inmate's minor child).
2. For payment of legal obligations including judgements. Proof that the obligation existed prior to incarceration must be submitted with the first payment.
3. Payment for all or part of the cost of an inmate's room, board, clothing, medical, dental and other correctional services.
4. To provide the inmate with funds upon release.
5. To make purchases from the canteen/commissary.
6. To make reimbursement for the value of property damaged or destroyed as specified by statute.
7. To reimburse the state for costs incurred in returning an inmate in the event of escape or absconding from parole supervision.
8. For payment of required state and federal taxes.
9. For payment to the Victim's Compensation Fund as required by law (for those inmates working in a private venture operation).
10. To pay for schooling (correspondence courses at some post secondary education institutions).
11. For payment to their religious organization within the Department of Correctional Services.
12. To reimburse the State for costs incurred (such as travel orders and funerals).
13. Purchase of food and hygiene items, personal clothing/property.

HOLIDAY GIFT PLAN

The Holiday Gift Plan is a way for family and friends to purchase a gift for an inmate incarcerated in one of the State's Correctional facilities. These may also be ordered by the inmate.

The vendor and the items available for purchase are pre-approved by the Department each year. Two order forms, a description and item number of each package and ordering instructions are given to each inmate around the first week in October. It is the inmate's responsibility to send copies of these forms to those individuals that he/she wants to place an order. All orders must be placed before the stated cutoff date in November to ensure delivery in December. Only two (2) orders are accepted for each inmate.

All orders must be sent to the Department of Correctional Services, Inmate Accounting, P.O. Box 94661, Lincoln, NE 68509-4661.