The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office (VBSO) is upgrading its Inmate Kitchen, where approximately 1.3 million meals are prepared annually. The nearly half-a-million-dollar upgrade will deliver needed safety improvements, including new floors, walls and stainless-steel sinks.
Work on the $457,000 contract with L4 started on Aug. 4 and is nearly halfway complete. The Inmate Kitchen, which opened in 2005, had brick flooring, which could be slippery and had sunk over the years, and cinderblock walls, which were hard to keep sanitized and clean.
The Virginia Beach Correctional Center is permitted by the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health and inspected at least annually. In its most recent inspection on June 10, it was compliant with all requirements with no negative findings.
“This is the first major upgrade the Inmate Kitchen has had in 20 years,” said Sheriff Rocky Holcomb. “It’s important that our inmate trusties and VBSO staff work in a safe and sanitary environment. This renovation was much needed, and we’re proud of the work that is being done.”
As part of VBSO Inmate Services, the Inmate Kitchen prepares and serves all inmate meals in accordance with state nutritional requirements and Virginia Department of Health standards. Inmate trusties assigned to the Inmate Kitchen gain skill development in these roles and have recently been offered ServSafe certification, which prepares them for food service jobs after their release. Inmate meal preparation temporarily moved to the VBSO Staff Kitchen during the six-week renovation.
The new floor is a seamless epoxy with a rubberized-like texture called MasterSeal Traffic 1500. The new walls are Reinforced Fiberglass Panels, which will make cleaning and sanitation easier. Contractors will also install six new stainless steel sinks.
“We care about the safety of our inmates and the food this kitchen produces,” Holcomb said. “That’s why this renovation is important.”
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti at tguagenti@vbso.net or 757-385-8446 .