2016 NJ State PBA Convention – Phoenix, Arizona LAW & ORDER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57
working in food processing trying to bring food back out to the tents.”
It is understandable these inmates would prefer smuggled take-out from inside the jail, because Tent City residents’ diets are limited to two meals a day: Peanut butter sandwich, fruit, milk and cookie in the morning; and“ mystery soup,” veggies, mashed potatoes or rice and another fruit or juice in the afternoon.
“ They only eat vegetarian and calories are counted,” Bermudez related, adding that there is little accommodation for dietary restrictions.“ That’ s the big kick – it’ s like Survivor or Naked and Afraid; it’ s not for free and you have to weather the storm to get your prize( which is one day off your sentence for every day you spend living in the tents). Some people tap out.”
PBA members were also privy to another of Arpaio’ s trademark programs during the tour. It’ s“ Pink is the New Black” in Maricopa County Jail, as inmates – under their old-timey black-and-whitestriped uniforms – are issued nothing but pink socks, T-shirts and underwear.
“ The sheriff’ s reasoning is that the inmates were taking the old white undergarments with them when they got out,” Land explained.
“ That’ s very funny,” Bermudez commented, though he does find it an odd practice:“ I’ ve never heard of a prison reissuing underwear.”
The tour explained how the Tent City inmates participate in chain-gang work details, to and from which they walk two miles each way, each day.
Of course, the inmates are not the only ones experiencing the triple-digit conditions.
“ The officers in vests and full uniforms are out in the elements as well,” Bermudez described.“ Personally, as State Delegate, I wouldn’ t put my officers out in such harsh conditions with all the variables like prisoners obtaining contraband outside and the weather, but I tip my hat to the officers out there with them.”
After a patch exchange and parting words, PBA members returned to the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa with new pen pals and stories to last the rest of the convention and beyond. And a lasting impression.
“ I was impressed by the corrections officers’ professionalism that was first and foremost,” reflected Burlington County Correction Officers Local 249 State Delegate Terrence Benson.“ We were welcomed by the Sheriff’ s Department and given an insightful tour. And I appreciate our Corrections Committee for taking us to these jails. It’ s how we network and how we see what we have and don’ t have.”
58 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER 2016