Forget drug tests; show jail inmates videos

FARMINGTON, Utah (AP) — A week after Davis County Sheriff Bud Cox eliminated drug tests of jail prisoners to save money, county commissioners unanimously approved a $1,200 contract to provide weekly movies for the inmates.

Before the vote Tuesday, Commissioner Alan Hansen asked, "If the sheriff is cutting the program on drug testing, why are we approving a contract to show videos to inmates?"

"I think it is protection for our officers. It keeps the inmates busy, keeps them engrossed in something," commission Chairwoman Carol Page said. "It's an amount well-spent in order to keep the peace in our corrections facility."

Cox said the contract works as both a pacifier and a motivator. The movies are shown as a reward to inmates for keeping their cells clean and are something inmates look forward to.