Arpaio: Racially motivated assaults prompt jail lockdowns
MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio has ordered all Maricopa County jails to immediately be placed on lockdown after learning that inmates were planning racially motivated, large scale assaults, according to the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office on Monday. The jails hold approximately 10,000 inmates, 44-percent are Hispanic, 37-percent are white, and 14-percent are black, MCSO said. Over half of the Hispanic inmates are reportedly undocumented immigrants. "I am sending a message to these inmates that I run the jail system, not the inmates,” Arpaio said in a press release. “I will not condone inmates targeting each other because of their race.” Sheriff’s SWAT units will be standing by ready to assist in case a disturbance breaks out at the jails, MCSO said. Visitation, inmate phone calls, and all non-essential movement will be restricted until the Sheriff lifts the lockdown, MCSO said. Inmates will only be able to leave their cells for court appearances, MCSO said. Approximately 800 inmates are transported each day for court appearances. Sheriff’s intelligence officials received information showing the reason behind the planned assault is inmate’s dislike for bunking with other inmates of different racial backgrounds, MCSO said. "This is a proactive move on our part to ensure the safety of all inmates,” Arpaio said. The lockdown is expected to last until officials believe the tension has subsided, MCSO said.
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