Associated Press
PHOENIX — An Arizona sheriff famous for making inmates wear pink underwear has rolled out a uniform change at Maricopa County jails: American flags are now stitched onto the striped jail suits.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio assigned military veterans to hand out the new uniforms. The change went into effect on Monday, Independence Day.
Arpaio says affixing the flag to the uniforms is about honoring the nation’s heritage.
Sheriff shows off new uniforms with American flag. Inmates who are veterans will hand them out. pic.twitter.com/JLxd0iQBjH
— Sonu Wasu ABC15 (@SonuWasu) July 4, 2016
Arpaio is known for his business raids aimed at finding people who used fake or stolen IDs to get jobs.
A federal judge is mulling changes to Arpaio’s office in response to a contempt-of-court ruling against him and a top aide for defying a 2011 order to stop their immigration patrols.
Sheriff says any inmate who tries to rip flag off uniform will be put on bread and water diet. #abc16 pic.twitter.com/HXhJYjD52q
— Sonu Wasu ABC15 (@SonuWasu) July 4, 2016
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press