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Arizona Jail Goes Sing Sing Over "Idol"

Posted Mar 22nd 2007 12:18PM by TMZ Staff

Not only are they behind bars, they're ready to sing in one! What a con test!

Maricopa County Sheriffs have developed their own version of "American Idol," called "Inmate Idle," in which 15 jailbirds battle for lockdown supremacy, not with homemade shivs, but with their singing! According to reps from the Sheriff's Office, the competition is an attempt to boost morale and give inmates a positive way to spend their jail time.

The vote for the six finalists will be held tonight, with Alice Cooper set to judge tomorrow night's live show. It's rumored that basketball legend Charles Barkley is interested in sitting at the judge's table as well.

The Sheriff who greenlit the event, Joe Arpaio, is notorious for his "unique" treatment of prisoners -- his inmates wear pink jumpsuits and live in tents in the middle of the Arizona desert. No need to say that anyone's singing could get them arrested.

Tags: inmate idle, InmateIdle

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16. Cant wait until Mike Tyson gets his turn when he gets convicted on dui and coke charges he's up on.

Wonder if Glen Campbell won when he did his stint there?

Posted at 3:35PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by bobby

17. Sheriff Joe did this last year too. And for those that think his jail and treatement are a walk in the park, think again. He's known as one of the toughest Sheriffs around. (Ah-Yup, tougher than John Wayne even.)

On the other hand, Arpaio is constantly in the news out here for one reason or another, he's the king of all media hype. And it works...but at least he can back up his talk.

As for Alice, he's a gem and an asset to the community. He does some great things for the kids in the Valley. We need a few more like him!

Posted at 2:02PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by AZLass

18. I think that it is such a shame to hold this type of an event at tax payers expenses! I don't agree with it and think that there should be more constructive entertainment. I also can't believe that inmates are wearing pink. Something really seems wrong in our justice system.

Posted at 2:55PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by julie

19. I love Sheriff Joe!!!!!

Posted at 2:55PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by Gabby

20. Hell YA Johnny cash did it . why not ???? SOME of them did very well . i liked it better then some of them i seen on American idol . LOL it would be funny to see Simon get SMART on one of them lol . i would watch it .

Posted at 3:09PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by chris

21. wtf? these people are in JAIL... hello they arent suppose to like it! That is how you motivate them not to go back. I believe the sheriff is smokin the green along with anna's judge!

Posted at 3:06PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by ntra\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

22. Okay first off, the pink is supposed to stop them from stealing the outfits when they leave tent city. Secondly, Joe Arpaio already made an ass of himself on Penn and Teller's Bullshit. Whoever thinks he is amazing is a total idiot. Not even the police around here take him seriously. They say he's "a business man, not a law man."

Posted at 3:09PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by Ruby

23. Go Sheriff! Wish we had your style here in L.A. I have heard alot about this sheriff over the years and he is commendable for his reform of the inmates.

Posted at 3:59PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by Shocked

24. WTF? are these guys being punished or rewarded for the crimes they've commited? looks like the cops are so bored they're making the inmates do a little song and dance for their enjoyment. inconceiveable...

Posted at 12:09AM on Mar 23rd 2007 by Levon

25. Mr 104 - you can hold a tune.

Posted at 4:41PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by nobad

26. ............................Go Joe..................Joe Arpaio is an honest man who cares about his inmates.....He wants them to learn their lesson for what-ever crime they commited, so he doesn't have to see them again in his Prison....They wear pink underwear and the old style chain gang prison outfits....He is respected by all!.............Go Joe..........................

Posted at 5:50PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by Chain Gang

27. The next "Jaily Clarkson." ha ha ha

Posted at 10:33PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by ponytail

28. sSo so so funny. This Joe Arpaio guy sounds like he's pretty interesting.

Posted at 7:22PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by Bonnie

29. azlass is right....sheriff joe's jail is rough a sack lunch in the am around 10 and a nasty hot meal at about 5...the inmate idol is a hoot and the only "fun" thing I ever saw done there. Christmas time is nothing but loud annoying holiday music from 7am to 5pm with a pic of the sheriff on the tv. I am glad he did it and hopes that he will continue. As for Alice Cooper...the man is awesome and has done a lot for the community in Phoenix!!

Posted at 10:00PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by catie

30. this is more humiliation for the inmates. Joe is laughing his ass off at these people making fools out of themselves in their pink issued jail underwear...Joe A is a pervert of the Ted Haggard kind I wouldn't be surprised if he smokes meth too just watch once he retires the dirt will come out on this crazy bastard

Posted at 9:54PM on Mar 22nd 2007 by nore

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