Ariz. sheriff: Inmates who defaced flags to get only bread and water

PHOENIX, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona's Maricopa County said inmates who defaced American flags in their cells will be fed only bread and water for a week,

The flags were placed in cells in November in a patriotism campaign by the sheriff, who accused some inmates of "tearing them, writing on them, stepping on them, throwing them in the toilet, trash or wherever they feel. It's a disgrace," CNN reported.

In addition to the display of flags, the "Star Spangled Banner" is played over the jail intercom each morning and every evening inmates hear "God Bless America," the report said.

The flags were put in cells after Arpaio announced he would hire more veterans.

He says more than 600 male and female veterans work for the sheriff's department, which manages 8,000 inmates.