Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio in August 2016.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone announced Tuesday he will close the tent city jail annex established years ago by Joe Arpaio when he was sheriff and made so many immigrant arrests that the main jail was full.
Penzone created a committee upon taking office to deal with major issues facing his department, and the tent city jail annex was the first order of business.
After reviewing the cost, rates of deterrence and recidivism and even polling the opinions of the inmates, Penzone said, the commission recommended closing the jail last week. Penzone said it created "a circus-like atmosphere."
“Starting today, that circus ends and these tents come down,” he said at a news conference.
Penzone said prisoners currently held in tents will be transferred to other jails, as will the detention officers who work there. An initial projection shows the moves could save $4.5 million annually.
The tents should come down within 60 days. It could take longer to relocate work-release inmates. Penzone would not disclose his plans for the space after the tents are gone.
Arpaio's setup of the tent jail annex contributed to his national infamy.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.