Custody Services



The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates the largest jail system in the United States. The Custody Division consists of ten detention facilities that maintain an average daily population of approximately 21,000 inmates. Custody Division houses pre-sentenced prisoners who are awaiting trial in Los Angeles County, as well as convicted prisoners who have been sentenced to jail.



The Food Services Unit provides all Sheriff's Department stations and several independent police departments with pre-portioned style meals (with disposable trays) which can be conveniently heated and served to prisoners. These pre-portioned meals are produced by cooks and inmates in the Culinary Arts Program. This program introduces inmates to food production and handling skills while producing revenue offset for the program. We currently contract with 27 different cities for the food services producing annual revenue of approximately $480,000.



The School Lunch Program provides meals for the students of the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Inmates produce breakfast and lunch meals for students both of which are in compliance with the National School Lunch Program standards. These meals are produced by cooks and inmates who are in the Culinary Arts program.