PHOENIX (AP) - Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says several inmates who defaced the American flag will be given only bread and water.
Arpaio says 38 inmates are accused of desecrating a flag and will be put on the special diet as punishment.
A U.S. flag is emblazoned in every jail cell in all six Maricopa County jails, Arpaio said.
According to Arpaio, inmates have torn flags, written or stepped on them. Some have also thrown flags in the toilet or trash.
The sheriff says they are destroying government property. He says their actions are a disgrace.
He did not say how long the bread-and-water punishment would last.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.