The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
As he looks to make up for $3.2 million lost in this year's budget, Sheriff Kenneth Stolle might as well add some extra titles to his name tag - like grocer, farmer, restaurateur and chief executive officer.
He's cultivating ways to save or make cash for the jail, such as having inmates grow vegetables instead of buying them, taking over the canteen's operation and offering inmates' families the chance to order care packages online.
The goal is to compensate for budget cuts without layoffs or compromises to jail security, he said.
"We think we can run it ourselves and do a better job and save the city some money," Stolle said.
On Tuesday, City Council approved the hiring of about six full-time employees - at a cost of $279,846 - to run and manage Stolle's new programs. The positions will be paid for with money from the Inmate Services Fund, which comes from jail residents' fees and purchases.
Inmates started growing vegetables on a small plot outside the jail in April. They'll harvest and serve some of their first crops today.
Over the next month or so, several other changes will take shape. Stolle has terminated his contract with the outside company that ran the inmate canteen, which sells snacks, hygiene items, clothing and other goods. Now, inmates and part-time staff will operate it. Also, t wo in-house cooks will replace contractors who prepare meals for the staff.
The sheriff's office is also launching two new Internet-based programs called Fresh Favorites and Care Mart. Fresh Favorites will allow inmates' family members to order specialty snacks for them online, like a Philly cheese-steak. Care Mart will offer care packages.
In the first year, the changes should make about $450,000 in profit, said Ashley Lanteigne, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office. The following year, profits could exceed $1.2 million, she said.
The sheriff's office is also hoping to pad its budget by bringing in more inmates from other jurisdictions, Stolle said. An additional 120 out-of-town inmates would generate an extra $2 million, he said.
Councilwoman Barbara Henley commended Stolle for his "out-of-the-box" thinking to make money and provide a healthier lifestyle for the city's incarcerated population.
"This will make up the largest part of the deficit that we have," Stolle said.
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
MRE's
MRE's cost more than what it costs the city to feed prisoners. Facts please.
MRE's
Whu not feed them Military MRE's like our troops are having to eat in IRAQ/AFgan. they are balanced meals and the Feds. have spent millions perfecting them!, or the VB inmates better than our TROOPS???
Give up the pension
If Ken Stolle really wanted to save Virginia Beach money, he wouldn't have ever run for the sherriff's office. Just retiring in 2008 would have prevented VB from paying Stolle a second government pension on to of his pension from the state of Virginia.
Ouch...
Truth hurts.
My grandfather in up state new York would pick up road kill
Deer and the prisoners would have good steaks that week. Now they have better dinners then us, and we are eating motherinlaw killin racoon and fox. Only a Old Cox could come up with this plan. In the mean time, the staff has a 3+million dollar dinner bill. How about that 'Where is the BEEF Pilot'??
Mud in the water...
Just to clear things up for all of the people jumping to conclusions. The VBSO is Governed By the Va DOC(Department of Corrections), and certain Federal guidelines. In that, they(all of the jails n VA) must provide a 2000cal diet to every inmate in custody... no exceptions! Va. jails have had "Canteen" services for years, all by outside contractor. The VBSO is now dissolving a contractor(which you knew nothing about) to provide the same services,but now in house. COST SAVINGS! BETTER SERVICE! LESS MONEY from YOU! Non-violent offenders are still a flight risk, and yes they are the ones out there stealing YOUR identity and raping your credit scores... still think thy should be free? No wine list, no waiters, no extra cost to you, the tax payer. Did you even read the whole article? The start up came out of the Sheriff's SAVINGS acct. Not from the City. Do yourself a favor and go take a tour of the "Hilton" and see if it's a cake walk! NFH.
Cost savings ?
So eliminating the private contractor and hiring additional sheriffs office employees with the associated pension and benefit costs will be cheaper than the current contractor?
If this is indeed true my hat is off to the sheriff. But in my experience I have never seen the government do anything cheaper than the private sector could do. I would like to see a true cost analysis of this program compared to the current contract after a year of operations.
Bravo...
Donald.........You got it!
Why is everyone complaining that this is NOT costing the taxpayers?
Give them credit for "trying" to think of cost saving measures!
This man continues to try
This man continues to try and find a way to keep in the news. This idea is ludicrous. The inmates are there for committing crimes. Give then the basics and that is all. He is a jailer. Not the galloping gourmet!
Cheers
Don't forget the wine selection menu.