Inmate Information and Programs
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.