PHOENIX — The Arizona sheriff famous for putting his inmates in pink underwear will have them wearing stars and stripes in time for Independence Day.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is introducing a new element to his inmates' uniforms: the American flag.
The new uniforms that bear the flag will be distributed to all 8,000-plus inmates in Maricopa County jails on Monday, July 4. The design will be unveiled during a news conference with Arpaio, according to a Sheriff's Office statement.
"Sheriff Arpaio ordered the new look out of respect for our nation's heritage and with the aspiration of adding to the respect each wearer will hold for themselves," according to the statement.
Arpaio will distribute the uniforms Monday with help from the county's incarcerated veterans and a detention officer who will be taking his naturalization oath Monday morning, the Sheriff's Office statement said. Detention Officer Omar Al Mawashi passed his U.S. citizenship test in May.
"The American flag is a symbol of freedom and liberty," Arpaio said. "My hope is that incarcerated inmates feel a sense of pride and honor when wearing the flag."
A sheriff's official wouldn't say how much it cost to make the uniform change.
Arpaio instituted pink underwear for inmates in 1994. In 2011, he sold a Spanish version with the words "Vamos, Jose!" At the time, he said proceeds would help at-risk youth.
Contributing: Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY. Follow Alexis Egeland on Twitter: @alexis_egeland
