Sheriff Joe Arpaio Presents Prison Exercise Plan: Inmates Pedal for TV Privileges

By: Kealan Oliver
Topics: Daily Blotter

Pedal Vision at the Tent City Jail (KPHO)

NEW YORK (CBS/KPHO) Joe Arpaio, self-styled as "America's Toughest Sheriff," has decided that if his inmates want the privilege of watching TV, they have to pedal for it.

This clever idea came about when Arpaio realized half of the inmate population at the Tent City Jail in Phoenix, Ariz. is overweight and needed some exercise.

The sheriff's staff customized a stationary bike so that when inmates pedal it, it generates 12 volts of electricity - enough to run a 19-inch TV. An hour of pedaling equals about an hour of TV time.

Arpaio explains, "If an inmate slows down and fails to pedal fast enough, an audible noise sounds off to warn inmates that the TV is shutting down." He says, "Peer pressure will have them pedaling, at least right up to the commercial breaks."

In a press release Arpaio said the TV will give them a reason to exercise and a way to "burn up to 500 calories an hour." The inmates will have to sign a contract that says only those who agree to pedal will have access to the inmate-powered TV.

The sheriff said he debuted his new program with female inmates because they seemed more receptive to the idea.

So what's next from "personal trainer Arpaio"? How about "run a mile, win a nail file"...

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by shockware August 19, 2010 6:22 AM EDT: I've seen different ways they have implemented this concept of using stationary bikes in generating energy. A nice quick summary of those concepts I found in an article here http://www.dogengine.com/us/used-stationary-bikes.php (go at the bottom of the page and read "Stationary Bikes Used For Generating Energy"); Reply to this comment


by realetybytes April 7, 2010 12:13 PM EDT: They all should be made to pedal 8 hrs a day, like a job. They can do it in shifts, 24 hrs a day, and sell the extra electricity back to the utility company.
Society should exact some price for the food and shelter supplied by the demands of their, (the prisoners), ineffectiveness and inability at their chosen profession.
Ron Reale
realetybytes@yahoo.com
realetybytes.townhall.com; Reply to this comment


by dblbar1 April 7, 2010 11:37 AM EDT: Joe Arpaio, self-styled as "America's Toughest Sheriff"....sorry but that's a big load of crap.....when my son's truck was stolen in OKC it was located in AZ two months later and they HAD THE GUY in jail....after numerous calls to both states, nobody would claim jurisdiction and they let him go. This only tells everybody that you can steal a vehicle in OKC, go to AZ and NOTHING WILL BE DONE. It only cost me a little over $300 to go retrieve the vehicle. Yeah, America's toughest Sheriff indeed.....what a joke. I puke every time I read that.; Reply to this comment

by Brokennews April 7, 2010 10:16 AM EDT

Brilliant!!

Although, I would bet that the ACLU will sue for the right of prisoners to have 24 hour TV access, unlimited soda pop, chips & a big comfy couch!

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by I_am_me1953 April 7, 2010 12:55 PM EDT: All you have to do is read the last sentence, "So what's next from "personal trainer Arpaio"? How about "run a mile, win a nail file"..." and you realize that you are probably a lot closer to correct than wrong.