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Tour Participant Guidelines
The Nebraska State Penitentiary Administration is pleased to offer tours of the Institution to select groups provided the security, control, and good order of the Institution are not compromised. The following guidelines are established for tour groups.
I. Dress Code
A. When visiting, proper attire is expected. Clothing should not be distracting or offensive to inmates or other visitors. The following modes of dress are INAPPROPRIATE for visiting at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
1. Khaki colored clothing is not permitted. 2. Shorts ( 10 years of age or under are excluded; this is applicable to both male and female visitors). 3. Skirts/dresses/skorts/culottes, less than knee length (top of the knee). If the skirt or dress has a slit in it, it must be below the knee. 4. Halter tops, tube tops, crop tops, backless tops, v-necks, low cut shirts, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, shirts/sweaters with zippers, spaghetti string ties tops, or other clothing revealing bare shoulders, a bare midriff, or any part of the breast. Shirts that are two short are judged by raising the hands above the head and bending over. If any skin shows, the shirt is too short. 5. See-through clothing. 6. Torn clothing (including jeans). 7. Tights, leggings, stirrup pants (10 years of age or under are excluded). 8. Coats, jackets of any kind, hooded sweatshirts, sweaters, or shirts, or other type of outerwear are not permitted in the visiting room. Coats and jackets may be worn if tour takes place outdoors and weather is permitting. 9. Not wearing undergarments (i.e. Females must wear panty hose and/or underwear and a bra. Males must wear underwear/undershorts). 10. Tennis shoes with rollers or any shoe with cleats (metal or rubber). 11. Children that are old enough to walk are required to wear shoes. 12. With the exception of those people conducting official business, visitors will not be permitted to wear any type of uniforms such as medical, other state agency uniforms, UPS, Postal, Military, etc. If the tour group intends to wear a uniform prior notification must be made with the tour coordinator. Tour Guidelines continued Page 2
B. Casual attire is appropriate for tour members.
C. This is a professional working environment. Clothing with offensive or inappropriate messages/pictures (profanity, racial/gender bias, ethic slurs, reference to drugs or alcohol or gang/violence) are not permitted. Pants are to be worn at the waist and shirts are to be tucked in. Clothing/accessories indicating/representing gang affiliation will not be allowed.
a. Visitors should minimize the amount of jewelry worn within the facility. Jewelry will be inventoried prior to entry and exit. To facilitate ease of entry and exit, the visitor may wish to secure these items in their vehicle prior to entry. b. Generally, hats/headgear will not be permitted to be worn into the facility. Exception will be authorized by administration in advance for religious purpose only.
II Conduct During Tour
A. A person may be denied a tour or terminated from a tour for any of the following reasons:
1. The consumption of, or being under the influence of, alcohol or having the smell of alcohol on the breath. 2. The use of, or being under the influence of, illegal drugs. 3. The introduction of contraband or the attempt to introduce contraband into the facility. 4. The taking of unauthorized items or property from the facility. 5. Initiating or contributing to disruptive or improper behavior by either inmates, employees, or fellow tour participants. 6. Refusal to submit to search procedures. 7. Refusal or failure to produce sufficient identification or the falsifying of identifying information. 8. The violation of any posted rule or regulation as applicable. 9. The failure to follow an officer’s instructions during the tour. 10. Other reasons as are reasonably necessary for preserving the security of the institution. 11. The Administration reserves the right to cancel the touring privileges of any individual who refuses to comply with departmental rules and regulations.
B. General Information When Touring Correctional Institutions. Weapons and drugs are prohibited at any correctional institution. Cell phones, cameras, audio equipment or video equipment will not be Tour Guidelines continued Page 3
allowed inside the facility. Institution officials will also require that cash money and identification cards be placed in storage during the tour. Keys for lockers are available for check out at the Front Entrance desk to temporarily store your unauthorized belongings. Do not attempt to communicate with any inmate unless authorized to do so by institution officials. Do not pass anything to inmates (such as notes or letters) and do not accept anything from inmates. If you happen to personally know someone incarcerated at the institution, it’s best that you keep it to yourself and don’t ask corrections officials for information on the individual.
By exercising reasonable judgment pursuant to the above, your tour can be an educational and rewarding experience.
NOTE: All tour participants shall have a valid picture ID to present to the Front Entrance Officer. No one will be admitted without a valid picture ID
Maximum number of visitors for a tour will be 25. Ideal tour days are on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12pm-2pm. Other arrangements can be made with prior approval.
If an inmate speaker is requested, please notify Administrative Assistant III, Shanna Thiel prior to the scheduled tour.
Shanna Thiel, Administrative Assistant III Nebraska State Penitentiary 4201 S. 14th St. PO Box 22500 Lincoln NE 68542
Office: 402-479-3227