Two water line breaks at the Nebraska State Penitentiary are affecting about 715 incarcerated individuals. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says the first break happened Thursday near the facility’s library and was repaired Friday. A second break occurred Friday near a housing unit, affecting water service to four of the prison’s nine housing units.
Repairs are underway, but officials say it’s unclear how long they will take. NDCS says locating the break is complicated because the water line is buried beneath concrete and near electrical lines. The prison initially received 20,000 bottles of water, with additional deliveries made since.
Bottled water is being distributed every four hours, or more often if needed. Portable toilets have also been provided, and shower schedules are in place. Laundry is being sent to other facilities for cleaning.
Officials say yard time, medical care, visitation and religious services remain available. The Nebraska State Penitentiary is the oldest facility in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services system, with portions of the campus dating to 1869. Officials say recurring water line breaks are linked to aging infrastructure.
Construction is underway on a replacement prison in north Lincoln, with completion planned for 2028.