Sheriff Overman addresses incidents at Scottsbluff County Detention Center

A recent Scotts Bluff County Commissioners meeting brought to light two significant incidents at the Scottsbluff County Detention Center that have raised concerns and garnered media attention. Sheriff Mark Overman addressed the commissioners, detailing the unfortunate death of a detainee and a procedural error leading to the premature release of another individual.

The first incident involved a detainee who suffered a medical emergency in the early hours of the morning. Despite immediate action from staff, including the use of an AED and a swift response from emergency services, the detainee was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Sheriff Overman confirmed that Nebraska law mandates a grand jury investigation whenever a detainee dies in custody. The Nebraska State Patrol is currently conducting the investigation, with full cooperation from the sheriff's department.

The second incident involved a detainee who was mistakenly released due to a lack of communication regarding additional charges from Box Butte County. Sheriff Overman explained that his department followed proper procedures based on the information available at the time. After thorough investigation, it was determined that Box Butte County had failed to inform Scotts Bluff County of the detainee's other charge, leading to the release. The Box Butte County Sheriff acknowledged the mistake and took responsibility, stating that it was an unfortunate error that can occur in jail operations.

Sheriff Overman emphasized the importance of communication between law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents, noting that while mistakes can happen, the department has processes in place to minimize errors. The sheriff's department is now working to locate the released detainee, who is considered dangerous.

These incidents highlight the complexities and challenges faced by detention facilities and the critical need for clear communication among law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.