Programs available to
inmates once they have been formally sentenced, providing
they meet the criteria established by the Sheriff’s Office.
These programs allow qualified inmates the ability to
continue to function within the community throughout the
course of their sentence.
Inmate
Work Force
The Virginia Beach
Sheriff's Office inmate workforce program was started by
Sheriff Frank Drew in 1991 with one Deputy and three
inmates. The inmates picked up trash from a city roadway.
Today, the Sheriff's
work force is comprised of fourteen staff members who
supervise up to 40 inmates who volunteer to complete a
multitude of different jobs while repaying their debt to
society through hard work.
The work force inmates
are transported to approved job assignments by deputies,
they are provided a bag lunch on the job site and returned
to jail housing after their daily assignment is completed.
Some of the regular
duties of the work force inmates include: painting, cleaning
offices, recycling paper, preparation and clean up following
special city events, trash removal from city streets,
mowing, and landscape details on city and state property.
They also provide support to any immediate labor needs of
the city.
There is a great
benefit to the community as the work force program, along
with the other volunteer programs in the Virginia Beach
Sheriff's Office, extends the cities budget by millions of
dollars every year.
Work Force inmates
have either requested to be placed in the program or have
been ordered into the program by the court. Those inmates
who are part of the work force program are given the
opportunity to go outside the jail setting and be
productive. They are entitled to two visits per week.
Inmates on the work force detail receive double food rations
and one soda per day. The work force program serves as a
prelude to work release and some misdemeanor charges will be
recommended for a reduced sentence of five days per one
month worked on the program. Interested inmates must file a
written request for consideration into the volunteer
program. Only those inmates who've been thoroughly
investigated and cleared will be offered the work force
detail.
The Good
News Jail & Ministry
The Good News Jail and
Prison Ministry are working inside the jail at the request
of the Sheriff. The chaplains do not receive any funding
from either the city or the state. The chaplains´ mission is
to reach as many inmates as possible with the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and to promote the spiritual growth of the
inmates. Also, they minister, encourage and counsel
believers within the facility, including the staff of
correctional officers and administrators. Additionally, they
establish, coordinate and oversee volunteer programs of
evangelism and discipleship. Other tasks of the chaplains
include: inmate visitation, Bible studies, church services
and notifying inmates when a family member dies or is
hospitalized.
