Arpaio Locks Down Jails
Over Hunger Strike
Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009, 4:30 PM MDT
Published : Monday, 18 May 2009, 4:30 PM MDT

PHOENIX - Sheriff Joe Arpaio has ordered a jail lockdown as a result of safety issues stemming from the continuing hunger strike.

Effective 3 p.m. Monday, three out of seven Maricopa County jails are locked down indefinitely because of threats of inmate-on-inmate violence. The locations affected are Lower Buckeye Jail, Towers Jail and the 4th Ave Jail.

During the past two weeks, Maricopa County inmates have participated in an intermittent hunger strike over the quality of food served in jail. The inmates who have accepted the evening meals have been threatened by other inmates, and six have asked to be placed in protective custody.

The numbers of inmates refusing to eat have fluctuated from 1,800 on Friday to 1,080 on Sunday night.

Visitation, phone calls and television viewing have been suspended as part of the lockdown.

The hunger strike initially started on May 2 as a response to an anti-illegal immigration march in front of the Sheriff's jails.


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