Thread: Maricopa County sheriff candidates talk about jail

Maricopa County sheriff candidates talk about jail
Reported by: Lori Jane Gliha

Last Update: 10/20 11:12 pm


There is no question the two candidates for Maricopa County sheriff each have extensive backgrounds in law enforcement.

"[I have] 48 years in law enforcement -- working in Turkey and Mexico," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

According to his website, he "served as a regional director with the United States Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the Middle East, Turkey, Mexico and Central and South America."

Dan Saban spent his entire career in the Valley.

"I've worked in every aspect of law enforcement -- undercover, SWAT. I rode a motorcycle for seven years," Saban said.

He retired in May 2008 as the police chief in Buckeye.

While the two agree on the need to cut crime in the county, their ideas on how to do it are very different.

The contrast for Saban is obvious.

"Clearly Joe Arpaio and I are polar opposites, and that's what motivates me to run," Saban said.

When it comes to the jail, Saban told ABC15 changes are necessary.

"I think this whole system needs to be audited," he said. "The tents, the commissary, the horror stories you hear coming out of the system from former inmates and employees," he said.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the morale is high in his jails. He said he is operating a successful system.

"I'm very proud of my organization," said Arpaio. "I mean we're like number two or three in the nation."

"We'll keep doing what we've been doing. Nothing's going to change," he added.

Saban said he would like to bring in experts to suggest money-saving ideas. He'd like to reduce the number of jail lawsuits and explore ideas for a rehabilitation system that could reduce recidivism.

"Are there alternatives for home arrests? Can they pay for their own care? What options do we have to take the burden off taxpayers," Saban asked.

"Having 10,000 people in custody, is not a badge of honor," he said. "You have to look at is this the right way to do it or no," he said.

Arpaio said he is doing the best job he can for the people he serves.

"We do the best we can," he said.

"We won eleven straight lawsuits in the last several months," he said. "I insisted we are going to not give the money out. We are going to fight these cases. I want to continue to do that," he said.

Saban said too many lawsuits are costing the county too much money. He said proper treatment of inmates is a priority.

"Where I disagree with [the Sheriff] is how he uses Tent City. He uses it to humiliate [and] demean inmates by putting them in stripes and pink underwear," he said.

Saban added that he would eliminate "the gimmicks" at the jail - including the pink boxer shorts inmates wear. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the chain gangs.

"This is a very sophisticated jail. A most modern jail," Arpaio said.

Arpaio praised his deputies and said his facilities are successful.

He said he has plans to cut back on water usage in the shower system at Tent City. Solar panels on a building at Tent City, he said, will also reduce costs.


www.abc15.com

"Are there alternatives for home arrests? Can they pay for their own care? What options do we have to take the burden off taxpayers," Saban asked.

Sure loser, wave money in the faces of taxpayers trying to get their vote...lol

"Having 10,000 people in custody, is not a badge of honor," he said. "You have to look at is this the right way to do it or no," he said.

OK, clearly he would rather have these criminals running around amongst us...Ummm no thanks Saban. Its nice that they are there and that they are miserable...

I thought this ad interesting about one running for sheriff of a major
metropolitan area ...









http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCkHpu_tyVo

"Having 10,000 people in custody, is not a badge of honor," he said. "You have to look at is this the right way to do it or no," he said

It is if they're criminals that deserve to be there!