Work Ethic Camp

News about McCook's Work Ethic Camp.

Escaped WEC inmate back in custody (3/14/23)

LINCOLN, Neb. – An inmate who escaped from the Work Ethic Camp is back in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Ronald Grant #63102 was arrested today by Lancaster County Sheriff deputies working with the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force. He is currently at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln...
Warded changes announced at Work Ethic Camp (11/11/22)

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Interim Director Diane Sabatka-Rine has announced the retirement of one warden and the appointment of another at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook. Pam Morello will retire on Feb. 2, 2023. She leaves NDCS with more than 21 years of service. Morello has been warden at WEC since July 2011...
WEC on quarantine; some staff, inmates positive (10/27/20)

McCOOK, Neb. – The Work Ethic Camp in McCook is on quarantine status, after an inmate tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). All other inmates will have the opportunity to test for the virus. Testing is voluntary. “The inmate who tested positive has been medically isolated from other people. ...
School locked down, escapee recaptured (8/27/18)

BENNINGTON, Neb. — The administration of an Omaha-area school locked down their school Friday afternoon as law enforcement officers from four departments closed in on a work ethic camp escapee driving a stolen SUV and believed to be armed. The black Chevy Suburban missing after 20-year-old Christian Reinke of Hebron ran from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services work ethic camp in McCook Thursday evening drew the attention of a Nebraska State Patrol trooper near Bennington about 1:20 p.m., Friday. ...
WEC escapee, two others arrested in Chadron (11/9/17)

CHADRON, Neb. — Officers from the Chardon Police Department (CPD) and the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a man who was wanted on multiple felony warrants after escaping from the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp (WEC) in McCook, NE on December 21, 2016...
Two inmates missing from Work Ethic Camp (12/22/16)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Nebraska Work Ethic Camp in McCook reports two inmates discovered missing at 10:50 p.m., Wednesday. The two escapees are Andrew Russell, sentenced from Dawes County on drug charges, and Charles Canaday, sentenced from Greeley, Howard, Sheridan and Valley counties on charges of burglary, theft and criminal mischief...
Inmate program changing lives, one class at a time (9/15/16)

BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Neb. -- Prairie Gold Homes has yet to construct a modular home at its indoor construction-skills training facility in McCook, although, that might not be much of an indicator if you're looking to gauge the program's success since coming to town, according to officials...
Inmate training program graduates third class (1/13/16)

McCOOK, Neb. -- Prairie Gold Homes graduated its third McCook-based class recently and is nearly completed with its first contribution to the local housing market. McCook Work Ethic Camp and Nebraska Department of Corrections representatives joined Prairie Gold Homes staff for a graduation ceremony at the Public Safety Center Monday afternoon. ...
Staff credited for potential growth of WEC (11/11/15)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Work Ethic Camp is drawing attention as one of several expansion projects being considered and area community leaders are praising local staff for what could be an economic boon for the region. The McCook facility was listed at the top of the list of seven Department of Corrections expansion projects included in Director Scott Frakes strategic plan released last week. The projects were slated for consideration in fiscal year 2018 through 2021...
WEC on radar for expansion (11/10/15)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The new head of the Nebraska Department of Corrections unveiled his road map for the future last week and the report appears to indicate the McCook Work Ethic Camp is being given serious consideration for future expansion. "This strategic plan will serve as a road map for the agency's work in the coming months and years," said Director Scott Frakes in an accompanying press release...
PGH graduating class (7/21/15)

Prairie Gold Homes graduated its first class Monday at the new home-construction inmate-training facility located in the former Public Safety Center. Graduates were met by a crowd of more than 50 including family members, friends, local community leaders and state officials. From left, graduate Rick Randall shares a heartfelt and often humorous summary of his experience with the program as instructor Stephanie Poulsom and fellow graduates Nathaniel Berghuis and Steven Luedtke share a laugh...
Not all Nebraska prisons are overcrowded (12/10/14)

McCOOK, Neb. -- While prisons in Eastern Nebraska make headlines on a regular basis related to overcrowding issues, one Department of Corrections facility in Western Nebraska sits with empty beds and local officials coordinating efforts to attract the attention of prison officials...