Let’s face it, if the state of Arizona was a person, it’d be an assh*le — that old, loud, inbred, racist uncle whose DNA link to you makes you cringe just thinking about it.
Contributing greatly to the development of this perception has been Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in America,” who, in addition to being kinda corrupt, can barely conceal his disdain for people of color, aka “fureners” — the Justice Department’s civil rights division has been investigating Arpaio for allegedly conducting unconstitutional searches and seizures against non-whites, in addition to instituting an “English-only” policy in his jail. Additionally, he’s also known for “dressing inmates in pink underwear and feeding them green baloney.” All things considered, it’s a wonder the guy hasn’t been shanked yet.
And now he’s stepping up his game! Reports the AP:
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio allows online users to browse through photos and then vote on their favorites that will be highlighted on a “Mugshot of the Day” section.
The top picks so far aren’t unexpected: They’re the most disheveled, unusual looking people among those booked into an Arizona jail.
Arpaio says he hopes the increased Web traffic will highlight the work of his employees.
He also says more crimes may be uncovered if the public can view the photos.
Look, I know that people do bad things and need to be locked up, but it’s bad enough that we have the highest rates of incarceration, by far, in the civilized world — can’t we at least show a little human dignity to the people we do lock up? (Don’t even get me started on the Angola 3!)
This sort of crap is why I’ve personally resolved to never step foot in the state of Arizona, ever. That and all the twats at Arizona State University.
(via ABC News)