NE DOC – Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC)

NE DOC – Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 402-471-6343

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Diagnostic and Evaluation Center located at 3220 W Van Dorn St in Lincoln, NE are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

The DEC is a 176-bed maximum custody prison facility that is responsible for the reception, evaluation, assessment and classification of all adult males in the state. It is at this initial institution that inmates are given an official custody status and placed in a permanent assignment facility. DEC is responsible for performing ninety-day evaluation assessments for the court. This facility was officially opened as a 176-bed prison. The Diagnostic and Evaluation Center is a single building that is comprised of nine offender housing units and an infirmary. Additionally, this facility has rooms designated for the various programs offered, a gymnasium and various administrative offices.

The single structure, two-story institution consists of nine inmate housing units and an infirmary, which includes eight licensed hospital beds and a fully staffed initial admission clinic. Administrative offices and the infirmary are located on the upper level of the institution. All other inmate housing, as well as programming areas, including a gymnasium and custody and case management offices, are located on the lower level.

Intake Procedures

• Call or fax the name(s), date(s) of birth, and approximate time of arrival at least 24 hours in advance of bringing in new commitments.
  • For male admissions, call the DEC admissions office at (402) 471-3330 or by fax at (402) 479-6368.
  • For female admissions, call the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women admissions office at (402) 362-3317 ext 218 or 215 or by fax at (402) 362-3892.
• Preferred hours for receiving new commitments are during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Commitments may be made outside of these hours with prior approval of the receiving facility.
• Commitment and sentencing orders must accompany each new commitment.
  • Commitment Orders shall contain the date the sentence was imposed and/or is to commence; the specific offense(s); class of felony or misdemeanor for the offense(s) convicted; length of sentence(s) imposed; amount of jail time credit, if any; and if the sentence is to be consecutive or concurrent to any other charges or commitment orders. If the offense is drug related, the type of drug should also be noted.
• All known medical/mental health information should be provided at the time of admission including history, present treatment and current medication.
• At the time of admission, inmates will be permitted to retain the following items. Items not on this approved list will not be accepted or allowed in the institution. Counties should make every effort to dispose of materials not allowed prior to bringing the inmate.
  • One wedding band or ring
  • One commercial religious medallion (no homemade or hobby-made items are permitted)
  • One Bible/Qur'an or another book of sacred writings
  • Photographs (no nude photos, altered photos, or photos with foreign materials or objects attached; no gang-related photos; photos of criminal activity or photos of other inmates). Limit of 25 photographs per inmate.
  • Letters (postmarked less than one week prior to the date of admission)
  • Personal papers (legal papers, addresses, etc.)
  • Prescribed medications will be accepted and sent to our Health Services Department for evaluation and reissue if appropriate.
  • Prescription eyeglasses and glasses case, if applicable.
  • Inmates who arrive wearing prosthesis and possess personal property related to the care and function for the prosthesis may retain them in their possession. Knee braces, back braces, etc., not being worn by the inmate shall be retained by DEC admissions. Medical staff will evaluate the medical necessity of such items. If determined to be unnecessary, the individual will be required to send it out.
  • Inmates who, at admission, have items they claim are necessary for the practice of their religion will have these items stored until review by the religious coordinator and assistant warden for approval or denial to retain.
  • Money brought in by an inmate will be receipted and placed in the inmate's institutional account.

visitation Info

NE DOC – Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC) – Visitation

* VISITING DAYS ARE ESTABLISHED BASED ON THE LAST DIGIT OF THE INMATE'S ASSIGNED INSTITUTIONAL NUMBER.

Visiting Procedures

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has a liberal policy for visitation. Generally any family member or friend may visit as long as they do not have a recent criminal conviction, do not have criminal charges pending, are not on the visiting list of another inmate, are not a former employee, or pose any threat to the safety or security of the facility. Each visitation request is individually reviewed. Individuals wishing to visit an inmate at DEC must first obtain a "Visitor Request Form" (VRF) from the inmate they are requesting to visit. All persons wishing to visit must have their own VRF completed and approved. Minors up to age 19 must also have notarized, written permission from their parent or guardian to visit and must be accompanied by an approved adult. The completed VRF must be returned to DEC at the address shown on the form. Do NOT send the form to the inmate. It takes 2 – 3 weeks for the document to be processed. If the visitor applicant fails to answer all questions or provides false information on the form, this will likely result in the denial of visitation privileges. 

THE INMATE WILL NOTIFY YOU IF YOUR VISITATION FORM IS APPROVED OR DENIED TO VISIT.