When I took office back on January 1, 1993, the jails were already overcrowded. We had about 4800 inmates back then and many were double bunked. No new jail builds were on the horizon and some of the jails like the original First Avenue Jail was in such disrepair that it would have to be closed to inmates. I needed a quick solution as to how to house what I knew would be an ever increasing number of inmates.

After all, the county was growing by leaps and bounds and police agencies were hiring more officers who would be arresting more criminals. And though other Sheriffs in the United States were doing it, releasing criminals to the streets for lack of jail space wasn’t going to happen in Maricopa County, not on my watch at least.

The answer, of course, was and is Tent City. Yes, there were a handful of correctional facilities around the country that had a few tents up to house a small number of inmates.

But my idea was to build something big…a Tent City that could house literally hundreds and eventually thousands of lawbreakers. We had plenty of desert plus free inmate labor so building Tent City was a snap.

It opened in 1993 on August 3rd when temperatures were about 110 degrees. Naysayers said it wouldn’t last. Yet here we are, nearly 15 years later, and Tent City is going strong.
I cannot tell you how many police officials, sheriffs, politicians including four (4) presidential candidates, news organizations, leadership groups, and citizens committees from virtually all over the world have come to see Tent City to examine how it works.
It is a model program for a cost effective method of housing inmates. We should be proud of what we have accomplished with this Tent City.

And to put it right back in the critics faces, I had a huge pink neon vacancy sign erected on the security tower overlooking the entire facility. Every night after dark, it shines bright to remind police and the public that here’s always room at “Arpaio’s Inn.”

Today, there are about 2000 men and women living in Korean War tents that we received for free from the U.S. military. Inmates sleep in bunk beds, twenty to a tent. They have full access to showers and port-a-johns.

We supply fans and ice water in the summer because temperatures inside the tents can reach as high as 140 degrees. In the winter, when it’s cold, inmates are issued an extra blanket.

Despite the extreme in weather conditions, we have not had serious health problems related to the heat or cold. Like I say, my jails are austere but humane. My detention officers and I take the job of care and custody of inmates very seriously. In fact, let me say this, my detention staff is the best any Sheriff anywhere could ask for.

Truth be told, inmates seem to actually tolerate Tent City. When I walk through the yard and am besieged by inmates, I ask them to speak honestly about their stay here. Most say they prefer tents to a hard facility. Something about fresh air and sunlight. The thing inmates complain about most is the food. That’s when I deliver my favorite line to inmates…”Well, if you don’t like it…. then don’t come back. And quit your complaining. Our military men and women fighting for you in Iraq and Afghanistan live in tents hotter than these….so shut your mouths.”

If you appreciate this approach to housing inmates, then perhaps you will consider making a small contribution to Sheriff Arpaio’s re-election campaign. Click here to donate.