{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-126.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-126.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-126.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-126.html"}],"law_id":63523,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-126","catch_line":"Responsibility of sheriffs and jail superintendents for food, clothing and medicine","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-175; 1982, c. 636; 1991, c. 383; 2003, cc. 928, 1019; 2011, c. 727.","full_text":"The sheriff or jail superintendent shall purchase at prices as low as reasonably possible all foodstuffs and other provisions used in the feeding of jail prisoners and such clothing and medicine as may be necessary. Nothing herein shall be construed to require a sheriff, jail superintendent or a locality to pay for the medical treatment of an inmate for any injury, illness, or condition that existed prior to the inmate’s commitment to a local or regional facility, except that medical treatment shall not be withheld for any communicable diseases, serious medical needs, or life threatening conditions. Invoices or itemized statements of account from each vendor of such foodstuffs, provisions, clothing and medicines shall be obtained by the sheriff or jail superintendent and presented for payment to the governing body of the city or county or, in the case of regional jails, the regional jail authority or, if none, that body responsible for the fiscal management of the regional jails, which shall be responsible for the payment thereof. He shall certify on each statement or invoice that the merchandise has been received and that the vendor has complied with the terms of the purchase. Such certification shall be in the following words: “I hereby certify that the merchandise or service has been received and that the terms of the purchase have been complied with on the part of the vendor. The merchandise or service has been or will be used solely for the feeding and care of prisoners confined in jail.” If any county or city has a purchasing agent, the local governing body may require all such purchases to be made by or through the purchasing agent.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":231418,"text":"The sheriff or jail superintendent shall purchase at prices as low as reasonably possible all foodstuffs and other provisions used in the feeding of jail prisoners and such clothing and medicine as may be necessary. Nothing herein shall be construed to require a sheriff, jail superintendent or a locality to pay for the medical treatment of an inmate for any injury, illness, or condition that existed prior to the inmate’s commitment to a local or regional facility, except that medical treatment shall not be withheld for any communicable diseases, serious medical needs, or life threatening conditions. Invoices or itemized statements of account from each vendor of such foodstuffs, provisions, clothing and medicines shall be obtained by the sheriff or jail superintendent and presented for payment to the governing body of the city or county or, in the case of regional jails, the regional jail authority or, if none, that body responsible for the fiscal management of the regional jails, which shall be responsible for the payment thereof. He shall certify on each statement or invoice that the merchandise has been received and that the vendor has complied with the terms of the purchase. Such certification shall be in the following words: “I hereby certify that the merchandise or service has been received and that the terms of the purchase have been complied with on the part of the vendor. The merchandise or service has been or will be used solely for the feeding and care of prisoners confined in jail.” If any county or city has a purchasing agent, the local governing body may require all such purchases to be made by or through the purchasing agent.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13010,"edition_id":1,"name":"Duties of Sheriffs","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12847,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":238673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13010,"identifier":"6","token":"53.1\/3\/6","url":"\/53.1\/3\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12847,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Correctional Facilities","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":238281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12847,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/3","url":"\/53.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66213,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116","catch_line":"What records and policy jailer shall keep; how time deducted or added for felons and misdemeanants; payment of fine and costs by person committed to jail until he pays","url":"\/53.1-116\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116","metadata":false},{"id":84918,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of release of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1","metadata":false},{"id":54082,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:01","catch_line":"Jailer to give notice of intake of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-116.1_01\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_01","metadata":false},{"id":76275,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.1:02","catch_line":"Jailer-issued identification","url":"\/53.1-116.1_02\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.1_02","metadata":false},{"id":59367,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2","catch_line":"Sheriffs to be keepers of jails","url":"\/53.1-116.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2","metadata":false},{"id":56943,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.2:1","catch_line":"Jail superintendents to report certain acts of violence occurring within regional correctional facilities to law-enforcement agency; policies","url":"\/53.1-116.2_1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":76469,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-116.3","catch_line":"Improper release; capias, arrest and hearing","url":"\/53.1-116.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-116.3","metadata":false},{"id":77700,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-117","catch_line":"Violations of rules to be recorded in register","url":"\/53.1-117\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-117","metadata":false},{"id":83044,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-118","catch_line":"Courts to fine sheriffs for failure to perform duties","url":"\/53.1-118\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-118","metadata":false},{"id":70075,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-119","catch_line":"Court duties of sheriff","url":"\/53.1-119\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-119","metadata":false},{"id":81239,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-120","catch_line":"Sheriff to provide for courthouse and courtroom security; designation of deputies for such purpose; assessment","url":"\/53.1-120\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-120","metadata":false},{"id":54498,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-121","catch_line":"Sheriffs to make daily reports to Compensation Board; failure to send report","url":"\/53.1-121\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-121","metadata":false},{"id":64964,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-122","catch_line":"Daily records of sheriffs and jail superintendents","url":"\/53.1-122\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-122","metadata":false},{"id":62217,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-123","catch_line":"Other accounts, information and records as required by Department","url":"\/53.1-123\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-123","metadata":false},{"id":79685,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-124","catch_line":"Sheriffs and jail superintendents to report to the courts","url":"\/53.1-124\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-124","metadata":false},{"id":86449,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-125","catch_line":"Failure of sheriffs or jail superintendents to comply with requirements of board; filing of complaint; withholding salary","url":"\/53.1-125\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-125","metadata":false},{"id":63523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-126","catch_line":"Responsibility of sheriffs and jail superintendents for food, clothing and medicine","url":"\/53.1-126\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-126","metadata":false},{"id":85147,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering","url":"\/53.1-127\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127","metadata":false},{"id":74775,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.1","catch_line":"Establishment of stores in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.1\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.1","metadata":false},{"id":68530,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.2","catch_line":"Fees for telephonic communication systems and electronic visitation and messaging systems for prisoners in local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-127.2\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.2","metadata":false},{"id":68077,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.3","catch_line":"Deferred or installment payment agreement for unpaid fees","url":"\/53.1-127.3\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.3","metadata":false},{"id":54523,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-127.4\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.4","metadata":false},{"id":77242,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127.5","catch_line":"Collection of fees owed; contract for collection; duties of Department of Taxation","url":"\/53.1-127.5\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86449,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-125","catch_line":"Failure of sheriffs or jail superintendents to comply with requirements of board; filing of complaint; withholding salary","url":"\/53.1-125\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-125","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85147,"structure_id":13010,"section_number":"53.1-127","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of local correctional facilities; searches of those entering","url":"\/53.1-127\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-127","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-126\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1982, chapter 636; in 1991, chapter 383; in 2003, chapters 928<\/a> and 1019<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 727<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72584,"section_number":"53.1-88","catch_line":"Governing body to examine statements, accounts and invoices and issue warrants","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-88\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":238739,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63523,"identifier":"53.1-126","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-126","url":"\/53.1-126\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-126\/","token":"53.1\/3\/6\/53.1-126","dublin_core":{"Title":"Responsibility of sheriffs and jail superintendents for food, clothing and medicine","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-126","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The sheriff or jail superintendent shall purchase at prices as low as reasonably possible all foodstuffs and other provisions used in the feeding of jail prisoners and such clothing and medicine as may be necessary. Nothing herein shall be construed to require a sheriff, jail superintendent or a locality to pay for the medical treatment of an inmate for any injury, illness, or condition that existed prior to the inmate’s commitment to a local or regional facility, except that medical treatment shall not be withheld for any communicable diseases, serious medical needs, or life threatening conditions. Invoices or itemized statements of account from each vendor of such foodstuffs, provisions, clothing and medicines shall be obtained by the sheriff or jail superintendent and presented for payment to the governing body of the city or county or, in the case of regional jails, the regional jail authority or, if none, that body responsible for the fiscal management of the regional jails, which shall be responsible for the payment thereof. He shall certify on each statement or invoice that the merchandise has been received and that the vendor has complied with the terms of the purchase. Such certification shall be in the following words: “I hereby certify that the merchandise or service has been received and that the terms of the purchase have been complied with on the part of the vendor. The merchandise or service has been or will be used solely for the feeding and care of prisoners confined in jail.” If any county or city has a purchasing agent, the local governing body may require all such purchases to be made by or through the purchasing agent.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRESPONSIBILITY OF SHERIFFS AND JAIL SUPERINTENDENTS FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND\nMEDICINE (\u00a7 53.1-126)\n\nThe sheriff or jail superintendent shall purchase at prices as low as reasonably\npossible all foodstuffs and other provisions used in the feeding of jail\nprisoners and such clothing and medicine as may be necessary. Nothing herein\nshall be construed to require a sheriff, jail superintendent or a locality to\npay for the medical treatment of an inmate for any injury, illness, or condition\nthat existed prior to the inmate’s commitment to a local or regional\nfacility, except that medical treatment shall not be withheld for any\ncommunicable diseases, serious medical needs, or life threatening conditions.\nInvoices or itemized statements of account from each vendor of such foodstuffs,\nprovisions, clothing and medicines shall be obtained by the sheriff or jail\nsuperintendent and presented for payment to the governing body of the city or\ncounty or, in the case of regional jails, the regional jail authority or, if\nnone, that body responsible for the fiscal management of the regional jails,\nwhich shall be responsible for the payment thereof. He shall certify on each\nstatement or invoice that the merchandise has been received and that the vendor\nhas complied with the terms of the purchase. Such certification shall be in the\nfollowing words: “I hereby certify that the merchandise or service has\nbeen received and that the terms of the purchase have been complied with on the\npart of the vendor. The merchandise or service has been or will be used solely\nfor the feeding and care of prisoners confined in jail.” If any county or\ncity has a purchasing agent, the local governing body may require all such\npurchases to be made by or through the purchasing agent.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-175; 1982, c. 636; 1991, c. 383; 2003, cc. 928, 1019;\n2011, c. 727.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}