Arizona sheriff puts inmates on bread and water
(Reuters) - Dozens of inmates in Arizona jails run by a sheriff who has been a controversial figure in the national immigration debate have been put on a diet of bread and water for desecrating U.S. flags that hang in each cell, authorities said on Friday.
Maricopa County lawman Joe Arpaio, who has been called "America's toughest sheriff," said 38 inmates were currently getting these meals twice a day as punishment for destroying government property while in custody at six jails.
"These inmates have destroyed the American flag that was placed in their cells. Tearing them, writing on them, stepping on them, throwing them in the toilet, trash or wherever they feel," Arpaio said in a statement. "It's a disgrace to those who have fought for our country."
The punishment will last for seven days, he said, and a second offense would bring 10 more days of the sparse diet.
A sheriff's spokesman said the bread provides the daily requirement of calories and nutrients that is necessary. There are about 8,300 inmates in the jail system.
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Dan Pochoda, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union in Arizona, called the move a "publicity stunt."
"It's certainly not illegal, but what he is doing is bad policy," Pochoda said. "It's just another vindictive policy that has nothing to do with running a good jail system."
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/24/us-usa-arpaio-flags-idUSBREA0N1II20140124
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)by the Judge and the law which took away the freedom of the accused, and punishment ended then.
Punishment after loss of freedom is sadism. State punishment after loss of freedom is state torture and a crime against humanity.
Callmecrazy
(3,065 posts)was initially used as a punishment for inmates because it causes a lot of intestinal distress including severe constipation.
It's torture. Plain and simple.
jsr
(7,712 posts)brewens
(13,598 posts)before that clown came up with the idea? Just another publicity stunt.
marble falls
(57,112 posts)over other abuses.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)he's been sued, he's been investigated by federal agents, he's a laughingstock...and yet somehow he refuses to go the fuck away forever.
jmowreader
(50,560 posts)Arpaio is going to be sheriff until he dies of old age, because there are people who will vote for him no matter how crooked he is.