Convicted killer gives governor's mansion tours
Rachel Albin
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
Over time, Haverkamp's good behavior gave him chances to move to two less-restrictive facilities.
He resides at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln, a minimum security institution populated mostly, but not solely, by non-violent and white-collar criminals.
Five days a week, Haverkamp leaves the institution to give tours at the governor's mansion, a job he loves.
Soft-spoken and bow-tied, he shares his expert knowledge of "Nebraska's House" with foreign visitors, fourth graders learning Nebraska history and anyone else who wants to listen.
With good behavior, positive assessments and participation in programs to diffuse crime-causing personal issues, inmates can better their time on the inside, and sometimes work their way out.
"As a department, we want to place people in the least restrictive custody that they can be in as long as it doesn't affect public safety," said Kyle Poppert, the public information officer for Nebraska Corrections.
Inmates find jobs through corrections for many reasons: to pass the time, to learn or improve skills and to make money.
This work can include performing maintenance at correctional institutions or building furniture. Those deemed ready are re-introduced into the community through jobs at private businesses, where only a supervisor or two may know a convict's history.
Inmates blend in, even at the governor's mansion, where Haverkamp's past is kept private from tourists.
Ashley Cradduck, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dave Heineman, said she wished to respect Haverkamp's privacy.
"Prisoners don't walk different or dress different," said Rex Richard, the warden of the Community Corrections Center. "They just show up and do their job."
With enough good behavior, some can walk free.
Inmates are reviewed by the Nebraska Board of Parole annually, when the board decides whether or not to grant a parole hearing - the key to release.
Haverkamp had a parole board review on Wednesday, but a decision will be held until the board meets in a closed session next week.
Haverkamp's reviews have been sent to this second meeting many times. The parole board has deferred the decision to give him a hearing since 1992, when he first became eligible for parole.
This pattern could continue for another few decades. Haverkamp, who has expressed regret for his actions and resolved to follow the law, still has a maximum sentence of life in prison.
rachelalbin@dailynebraskan.com
He resides at the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln, a minimum security institution populated mostly, but not solely, by non-violent and white-collar criminals.
Five days a week, Haverkamp leaves the institution to give tours at the governor's mansion, a job he loves.
Soft-spoken and bow-tied, he shares his expert knowledge of "Nebraska's House" with foreign visitors, fourth graders learning Nebraska history and anyone else who wants to listen.
With good behavior, positive assessments and participation in programs to diffuse crime-causing personal issues, inmates can better their time on the inside, and sometimes work their way out.
"As a department, we want to place people in the least restrictive custody that they can be in as long as it doesn't affect public safety," said Kyle Poppert, the public information officer for Nebraska Corrections.
Inmates find jobs through corrections for many reasons: to pass the time, to learn or improve skills and to make money.
This work can include performing maintenance at correctional institutions or building furniture. Those deemed ready are re-introduced into the community through jobs at private businesses, where only a supervisor or two may know a convict's history.
Inmates blend in, even at the governor's mansion, where Haverkamp's past is kept private from tourists.
Ashley Cradduck, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dave Heineman, said she wished to respect Haverkamp's privacy.
"Prisoners don't walk different or dress different," said Rex Richard, the warden of the Community Corrections Center. "They just show up and do their job."
With enough good behavior, some can walk free.
Inmates are reviewed by the Nebraska Board of Parole annually, when the board decides whether or not to grant a parole hearing - the key to release.
Haverkamp had a parole board review on Wednesday, but a decision will be held until the board meets in a closed session next week.
Haverkamp's reviews have been sent to this second meeting many times. The parole board has deferred the decision to give him a hearing since 1992, when he first became eligible for parole.
This pattern could continue for another few decades. Haverkamp, who has expressed regret for his actions and resolved to follow the law, still has a maximum sentence of life in prison.
rachelalbin@dailynebraskan.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 45
Rich
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:09 AM CST
Why is this in the paper? What does this have to do with anything? This is not news.
Way to ruin this guy. You've actually made me feel sorry for a murderer. (Continued…)
Donnell
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:20 AM CST
You people should be ashamed of yourselves. What does this have to do with anything? Instead of supporting a member of our community who has obviously rehabilitated himself, you choose to lynch him in the most cowardly fashion possible. (Continued…)
Keith
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:03 AM CST
Are you kidding me - do you know what this guy did?! I am suprised he is not dead or on death row where he belongs! Of all the crimes in the state, his crimes merit the death penalty. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:54 AM CST
Disappointed you'd run a story like this--really not "news". While the headline "convicted killer...." will attract readers (as it did me) it seems very inappropriate. (Continued…)
Mada
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:13 PM CST
Another fine choice by the Daily Rag. Who is the editor and why is this person a writer? What a joke of a publication. You have no business ruining this guy. (Continued…)
Gordon
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:19 PM CST
Looks like you are running out of stories to print!! Yes he did the crime. Guess there is no room for changing??? Not justifying what he did but what's the point of running a story like this??
Derek
posted 4/03/08 @ 1:39 PM CST
This is a guy who shot a person's fingers off, sodomized him with a shovel, threw him in an open grave and shot him to death. He is currently giving unsupervised tours to your fourth graders. (Continued…)
M D Bruggeman
posted 4/03/08 @ 2:36 PM CST
Ruin this guy's life? Are you kidding me, this heinous, bloodthirsty killer ruined his life when he willingly committed his crime. Rehabbed? You can't rehab a monster like this guy. (Continued…)
Cindy
posted 4/03/08 @ 3:05 PM CST
I find it interesting; no, shocking that inmates are given such freedom and opportunity. This guy ruined his own life. A model citizen, he's not! I hope the parole board continues to see him for what he chose to become, a murderer. (Continued…)
Surfer Gurl
posted 4/03/08 @ 4:16 PM CST
Off topic:
I really can't understand a couple things about your web site. First of all the type that this article is set in is CRAP. It's very hard to read because of the goofy diagonal lines sloping from left to right on some of the letters. (Continued…)
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