"Utah County is very committed to doing a good job," he said.

Commissioner Larry Ellertson said the county commissioners, who belong to MAG, didn't participate in the decision giving the contract to the jail. He said that financially the contract won't be a major boon for the jail but it will be a good experience for the inmates working in the kitchen.

"Most of the benefit is from the standpoint that it provides an opportunity for some of the inmates," he said.

He added that through programs like working in the kitchen, the garden, work release or in the laundry, inmates "can learn some skills that will help them on the outside."

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Contributing: Rodger L. Hardy, Joe Dougherty

E-mail: csmith@desnews.com