NE DOC – Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP)

NE DOC – Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 402-471-3161

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Nebraska State Penitentiary located at 4201 S 14th 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 NSP is a Maximum, Medium and Minimum Custody state prison and is the oldest correctional facility in Nebraska, opening in 1869. Until after World War I, it was the only adult correctional facility in the state.

During 1980-1981, the existing cellblocks constructed during the second half of the 19th century were replaced by four (later five) modular housing units. A new administrative complex and an EPA approved multi-fuel power plant was also completed at the same time. An existing dormitory building constructed in the 1950s was retained as a medium-security facility and two new 100-bed dormitory units were opened in 1998. A 36- bed control unit built in the 1950s was previously used as a high-security segregation facility. In 2020, steps were finalized to transform that space to Minimum A custody general population housing for men who work in the facility’s shops. In addition to housing, a dayroom, gaming room and library/study were added. The Industries Plant, Laundry, Religious Center and other support buildings were retained from the older facility as well.

The inmate population at the NSP consists primarily of inmates ranging in age from 21 and above who are serving sentences of varying length. NSP uses the 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.

visitation Info

NE DOC – Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) – Visitation

Visitors attending the morning visitation sessions must arrive no later than 9:40 AM in order to be admitted.

*RECOGNIZED CHILDREN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS wishing to make arrangements to bring children to visit an incarcerated parent may contact the facility Unit Administrator.

Visiting Procedures – All visitors should verify the inmate's assigned visiting day before traveling to the facility and must be an approved visitor to visit.