A state inspection showed that food at the O.C. Jail is consistent with grocery store standards

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 11, 2022): The California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) conducted an onsite unannounced inspection of food service at the Orange County Jail, and found that “kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with grocery store standards.”

On March 11, 2022, BSCC notified the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OC Sheriff) of an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) inquiry regarding meal delivery service in the jails. The ACLU asserted that OC Sheriff was in violation of multiple standards and regulations set forth in Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to jails. The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) provided documentation to BSCC on March 15 to verify that OCHCA’s recent inspections found no areas of noncompliance related to the alleged Title 15 violations.

On March 17 and 18, BSCC conducted unannounced onsite inspections to “verify that food service has resumed to normal operation, that food storage systems are appropriate and that items being served are fit for human consumption.” An April 6 letter from BSCC outlines their verification through visual observation and interviews that “hot meal components are included in meal service, medical and religious diets have not been interrupted, and the kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with grocery store standards appearing edible, without mold or a rotten appearance from a consumer perspective.”

“Despite assertions, the findings from BSCC after an unannounced inspection show exactly what we have said time and time again – we provide nutritionally balanced and healthy meals that meet or exceed requirements for incarcerated persons entrusted to our care,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
BSCC also noted that OC Sheriff and OCHCA have fully cooperated and provided access to the facilities, requested information, and documentation during the inquiry.