BARTOW | Sheriff Grady Judd has given Polk County residents one more reason to relish life outside jail: underpants.

Judd told Polk County commissioners on Thursday he plans to shave about $45,000 from his annual jail costs by not giving underwear to male inmates when they're booked.

If they want a pair, they will have to buy them from the jail commissary. He plans to implement the policy next month.

Boxers cost $4.48, briefs $2.54.

"This is the county jail, not a welfare program," he told commissioners.

And if an inmate can't afford underwear? "We'll let the breeze go up one leg and down the other."

The cut is part of a $3.8 million drop in the proposed 2011-2012 budget for the Sheriff's Office.

The proposed budget is about $126.7 million, down from the $130.5 million last year. This is the third consecutive year Judd has proposed a budget that is less than that of the previous year.

Other cuts were made that will impact detention. Judd said he will eliminate 11 positions, including six detention supervisor spots.

Last year, deputies made about 30,300 bookings at the Polk County Jail. When inmates enter, their clothes are held until they are released. Each is given jail-issued garb: an orange top and pants and Fruit of the Loom brand briefs.

Female inmates will still receive underwear, Judd said.

Giving out underwear was at one time a cost-saving measure, said Maj. Mike Allen, head of jail operations and security. Workers searched underwear and found lighters, drugs and other contraband sewn into the garments. The jail started doling out briefs to inmates because it was cheaper than paying for workers to search.

Inmates can keep the underwear they have now, but the briefs will be phased out through "attrition," Allen said.

Cutting the underwear from the budget is only the latest-cost saving measure at the jail.

In 2008, Judd stripped the jail menu of drinks, including milk, tea and coffee. Crackers replaced cornbread. Frozen egg patties were introduced for breakfast instead of fresh eggs. Inmates also get one slice of bread in the morning instead of two.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were scrapped for a no-frills meat sandwich.

"We have to provide them with nutritious (food)," Judd said at the time. "That doesn't mean it has to be five-star delicious."



[ Matthew Pleasant can be reached at matthew.pleasant@theledger.com or 863-802-7590. ]