LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – Despite grappling with staffing shortages deemed crisis levels last year, state prison wardens said there is still a lot of room for improvement.
The annual report lays out key issues in the corrections system and this year will hold accountable to a new director, Scott Frakes, who is set to step down on October 7th.
Koebernick said he has high hopes for the new leadership, especially as he’s looking for someone with experience, new ideas, and a listening ear.
“I hope it’s someone who can go out and listen to their residents and engage with them,” Koebernick said.
Koebernick said that if the new director does this, it will be better able to address some of the department’s biggest concerns. One of the most pressing problems, he said, is the lack of mental health personnel in systems that are urgently needed.
“If you have people with mental illness, you have to get therapy around them,” Kobernick said.
The report shows approximately 60 behavioral health vacancies overall, including 31 behavioral health practitioners, 12 psychologists, and 4 psychiatrists.
“When you don’t have staff to do these things, the more people act, the more violent they become,” Koebernick said.
These positions have not been impacted by the historic pay increases secured by the Correctional Officers Union last year, Mr. Koebernick said, starting with keeping the staff he currently has, to get those staff in place. said more needs to be done.
“Get involved with those staff. Why are some of them leaving,” Koebernick said. “What are their conditions? That would be a really good first step.”
The Inspector General’s report also highlighted the need for better programs targeting hundreds of inmates who are not receiving recommended substance abuse, violence reduction, domestic violence, and sex offender treatment. I am emphasizing
“There’s a lot of programming going on, but we’re not sure if it’s effective and follows an evidence-based model,” Koebernick said. “That’s the question we have.”
Congress has allocated funds to contract an outside agency to conduct a complete overhaul of the department’s programming. This is one of the many studies NDCS is currently awaiting.
“I think the taxonomy I spoke about, the program evaluation, and the work of all the offices, and the research we discussed about the work we’re already doing within the system, should provide a good roadmap for the new director, He or she can realize that he or she can understand the challenges at hand, the things that need to be addressed,” said Koebernick.
Read the full report here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/public_counsel/2022_annual_report.pdf
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