Jail Uses Inmate Labor to Cut Costs

Loss of federal funding and money in the county’s general fund has forced the Lane County (OR) Correctional Facility to reduce spending in a number of ways, including overhauling its jail’s food service program two years ago, reports the Daily Emerald. In 2011, the county signed a contract with contract foodservice firm ABL Management, Inc, which employs inmates to instead of county staff to prepare, saving the county more than 49,000 hours of paid labor and about $400,000 annually. The average meal in 2012, including labor and food, cost only $1.54 while remaining in compliance with state dietary requirements.