Arizona Jail Goes Sing Sing Over "Idol"

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

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. Joe Arpaio has bee sheriff there FOREVER---because he rocks! We lived there for 15 years and he was always coming up with unique ideas...that worked!

I like this idea and I think it is a hoot! As someone else mentioned, I bet the "prison singers" are a lot better than Sanjaya!!!

Posted at 7:55AM on Mar 23rd 2007 by Shelley

32. I live here in Phoenix, and when I read about this it was a shock! Sheriff Joe is a flamboyant sort of guy. Conceited, and a gloryseeker.

This latest scheme is outrageous. Jail is Jail, no matter what. I would not want to be there at all.

Posted at 7:04PM on Mar 24th 2007 by Ronda

33. I REALLY ENJOYED THEIR IDOL SHOW... AT LEAST THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEIR LIVES WHILE THEY ARE IN JAIL.
CONGRATULATIONS SHERRIF....

Posted at 12:39PM on Mar 24th 2007 by shirl smith

34. Way to go sheriff. What a clever idea to do this. I love the dude who thinks he is Bo Bice the rocker.

Posted at 1:40PM on Mar 25th 2007 by sissy

35. I can only express outrage and hope that the contestants do not gain any level of being an "idol" while jailed. The poor rape victim, or robbery victim (and countless other victims) that have to endure seeing the person convicted of crimes againt them, on television gaining praise and encouragement from the media, penal system, the public and other inmates.

Posted at 12:48PM on Mar 27th 2007 by Jeff

36. Some of these prisoners were GOOD. Would like to see all the performances. I wish all of them the best.

Posted at 2:01PM on Apr 2nd 2007 by Lindy

37. I live in Arizona and am embarrased by our Sherrif. He is a joke. Nothing more than a media clown, always looking to bring attention to himself. "America's Toughest Sherrif" MY ASS. I know someone who is in there for 5 days work release for driving on a suspended license and he said there is more criminal activity in there than on Van Buren (our hooker street)

Anyway, this is just one more example of how he is America's Biggest Joke of a Sherrif.

Posted at 10:14PM on Apr 10th 2007 by Patty

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