Around 600 Nebraska State Penitentiary inmates affected by broken water pipe

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A broken water pipe at the Nebraska State Penitentiary has affected four housing units, placing them under modified operations. Around 600 inmates are impacted, who are housed in the four minimum-custody housing units.

Contractors arrived at the facility Friday afternoon to address the issue. Portable restrooms and bottled water have been brought to the penitentiary for those who are affected.

”The cause of the break has not yet been identified,” said Diane Sabatka-Rine, interim director at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. “The water and steam have been shut off to the housing units, shop areas and other support buildings. Meals will continue to be provided and served on Styrofoam trays, since the water is off.”

Digging has started in the area of the break. Once identified, repairs will begin.

“We hope to have water restored tomorrow,” said NSP Warden Michele Wilhelm. “Admittedly, that will depend on identifying the initial break and insuring no other leaks happen as the water is restored, which can sometimes occur with older pipes.”

Wilhelm said if the water outage does last longer, steps will be taken to ensure inmates have restrooms, fresh bottled water and if necessary, showers in another location.

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