Office of the Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System (OIG)
Budget
Approximately $325,000
- The OIG’s budget is an allocation of the Division of Legislative Oversight’s budget. It covers the Inspector General’s salary, the Assistance Inspector General’s salary, part of the Executive Intake Assistant salary, and office equipment needs.
Staffing
2.5 staff members
- OIG staff consists of the Inspector General, Assistant Inspector General and a part-time Executive Intake Assistant who splits her time between the OIG and the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare. The office is led by Inspector General Zach Pluhacek.
State Prison Profile
Nebraska has 9 state prison facilities subject to OIG oversight and incarcerates approximately 5,880 people in state prisons. The state prison system is run by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).
Authority
Nebraska State Statutes, Sections 50-1901 to 50-1921 (Office of Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System Act)
- Structure: The OIG is a subdivision of the Division of Legislative Oversight. The Director of Legislative Oversight appoints the Inspector General, subject to approval from the chairperson of the Executive Board of the Legislative Council, the chairperson of the Legislative Oversight Committee, and the chairperson of the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature. (50-1905(1))
- Authorized Activities: OIG is responsible for investigating possible misconduct, violations of statutes, rules, or regulations, incidents of death or injury, and complaints made against the NDCS, and may conduct audits or inspections as necessary to carry out its duties. (50-1906) OIG can choose to publish reports on completed investigations, which must include recommendations for further action. The Director of the NDCS can review reports and request changes, but these requests are not binding. (50-1915) The OIG also has oversight of parole, which is managed by NDCS.
- Information Access: The IG may speak confidentially with NDCS staff or people who are incarcerated. Nebraska state law gives the OIG the power to subpoena any persons or records during its investigations. (50-1910) The OIG may request and access facility data, the information system, and surveillance footage. (50-1911)
Activities
The OIG is tasked with investigating complaints about the NDCS and making recommendations to the Director of the NDCS.
- Facility Visits: The Inspector General makes regular visits to the prisons the office oversees. These visits can be announced or unannounced, but they are typically announced and on an as-needed basis.
- Complaints Investigation: The OIG receives complaints primarily from incarcerated people, staff, and family members of incarcerated people. The OIG is not required to investigate every complaint received. The OIG must determine whether the office will conduct a full investigation within 14 days of receiving the complaint.
- Data Collection: The OIG also collects data on population information, use of restrictive housing, assaults, overcrowding, staffing challenges (e.g. overtime, turnover), prevalence of contraband, deaths, escapes, and programming.
Reports
Annual Reports given to the Legislature and Governor; Reports on systemic issues and major incidents; all reports are available here.
Organizational History
In 2013, a violent incident involving a man released directly from solitary confinement into the community prompted a legislative investigation of NDCS, which revealed several concerning issues in Nebraska prisons. Partly in response to that investigation, OIG was formed in 2015 to increase oversight of NDCS. On August 16, 2023, the Nebraska Attorney General issued an opinion that questioned the constitutionality of the laws governing the OIG’s powers and responsibilities. As a result, OIG staff lost access to facilities, people, and information. But a few months later, on February 14, 2024, representatives of the Legislature and Executive Branch signed a memorandum of understanding that reinstated some of the OIG’s access. Originally, OIG was established as a subdivision of the Office of Public Counsel, but it was moved to the Division of Legislative Oversight in 2025.
News Stories:
Nebraska inspector general’s report flags prison overcrowding, staffing shortages, lack of support programs
WOWT 6 News Live, Sep. 13, 2024
Prison watchdog again urges end to ‘double-bunking’ of certain inmates after 2022 death
Nebraska Examiner, Nov. 15, 2024
Nebraska inmates eligible for medical, geriatric parole dying in prison due to lack of housing
(WOWT, March 26, 2026)
New inspector general of Nebraska’s prison system talks challenges, transparency and recent restructuring
(Nebraska Public Media, May 22, 2026)