(McCook, NE) -- An employee with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services is behind bars herself after being arrested for unauthorized communication with a prisoner.
NDCS says 29 year old Kerstan Slater, a unit caseworker at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on Thursday.
Prison leaders say Slater had been employed by NDCS since October 15, 2018 and had only worked at WEC during that time. Slater has resigned her position with the agency.
NDCS Director Scott R. Frakes expressed disappointment and frustration concerning this latest arrest involving a staff member accused of inappropriate conduct with an inmate. Unauthorized communication with a prisoner is a Class IV felony. “From the moment staff members are brought on board NDCS, we warn them of the need to maintain professional boundaries. This is not frivolous advice. It is imperative for their own personal safety, not to mention the impact these types of actions can have on their careers.”
Frakes reiterated that the agency had a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior. “We work closely with law enforcement to pursue these investigations. Staff members who willfully break the law by engaging in unlawful actions with inmates face serious consequences.”