Flagler County inmates achieve certification
BUNNELL --After spending some time in the Flagler County Inmate Facility, two inmates will be ready to work in an area restaurant thanks to a new program introduced by Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming.
Inmate Trustees Oleh Dubrovskyy and Justin Hurt were assigned to work in the FCIF kitchen with Jose Rivera, a food service manager with Trinity Services, the company that contracts to provide inmate meals.
Rivera, through a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office, began an instruction course for food handling which resulted in Dubrovskyy and Hurt obtaining a “Safe Staff Food Handler Certificate”. The certification allows them to immediately start work in any food service job. Both men are expected to be released in about six months.
“These two men will be coming out of the jail with a marketable skill. Restaurant employers will not have to wait for them to get their certification – they can start right away,” said Sheriff Fleming. “We have given them an opportunity to improve their futures while serving their time.”
The inmates had to complete seven chapters of instruction by Rivera. After each chapter, a quiz was completed. At the completion of the curriculum, a test was administered and both inmates passed. The certification program is offered by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. The certifications will expire after three years and may be renewed.