Jail Standards Board

The Nebraska Jail Standards Board was created in 1978 with statutory authority to develop and implement minimum standards for adult jails and temporary holding facilities throughout Nebraska.  The Board was placed with the Crime Commission in August of 1981 with the passage of Legislative Bill (LB) 328.  With the enactment of the Juvenile Detention Facility Standards in August of 1993, the Board's purview was expanded to include juvenile detention facilities. 

Nebraska is one of only a few states to have its standards and inspection program administered by a "grassroots" representative board, providing optimum opportunity for those impacted by the standards to have input into the process.  While the Jail Standards Board operates as an independent governing board, staff and administrative support are provided by the Crime Commission's Jail Standards Division.

The Jail Standards Board is comprised of 11 members, nine of which are appointed by the Governor for three year terms.  Statutorily, the State Fire Marshal and Director of the Department of Correctional Services serve on the Board.  Appointed board members include two county commissioners or supervisors, a county sheriff, police chief, juvenile detention facility administrator, administrator of a large jail (an average daily population of greater than 50 persons), member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and two laypersons.