Hoops removed from Polk County Jail

BARTOW - Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is known for his no nonsense approach to crime. Once again, he is laying down the law -- this time, in the Polk County jail.

He says from now on, there will be no more playing around there. Judd is removing the inmate’s basketball hoops.

"It just bothered me that people would drive by and say, 'I'm working hard, and the guys are sitting in the county jail playing basketball,'" Judd told FOX 13 on Thursday. "Well, no basketball, no more."

Judd is donating the hoops, backboards and poles to eight area churches. The Turning Point Worship Center just a few blocks away from the jail in Bartow, got the first set.

"There are children here five days a week," said Pastor Thomas Presley. "So it will probably be used every day."

Judd says a jail is not a health club, and he is not going to run his like one.

Lakeland resident Kevin Smith agrees.

"I says take the hoops out, take the cable TV out," Smith said. "I say the best way to get your privileges back is to stay out of jail."

Others say people who are incarcerated should exercise, because it makes them less aggressive towards each other and detention deputies.

Judd says Polk County inmates will continue to receive three hours of recreation a week. He says during that time they can do sit-ups, push-ups, or jog in a small circle to burn off their excess energy.

Polk inmate James Thomas says he shoots hoops any time he can and will miss not be able to play anymore.

"It is his decision," Thomas said. "I have to go with it."