LINCOLN- In response to a complaint filed against the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, the Nebraska Inspector General of Corrections said a use of force incident there shows the need for a slew of changes, ranging from staffing to organization. The complaint was filed in May by a man incarcerated at the facility who said he saw a staff member slam another inmate onto the floor, press him down, and place a knee on his neck.

"The individual involved in this was somebody with a serious mental illness. And he was in an area where there's a lot of coming and going, a lot of traffic of individuals and he did not comply with the direction given to him," said Doug Koebernick, Inspector General of Corrections. Koerbernich said that his office's investigation into the incident revealed that the man fell to the ground, curled into a ball, and pulled away while facility staff tried to restrain him.

"It was maybe an unnecessary use of force," said Koebernick, "but not an excessive use of force." The Inspector General's report also revealed that the restrained inmate usually had a health porter with him, but not in this case. "And what we learned was that if he had been with him, this probably would not have taken place," said Koebernick, "We don't know for sure, but it would be less likely." In response, the Inspector General's Office recommended to the Department of Corrections that it revamp its health porter program, make a list of all inmates who require one, and ensure that the program is well staffed.

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