January 7, 2009

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) -- A federal judge has ordered the arrest of
an Alabama sheriff who was held in contempt of court for failing to
adequately feed jail inmates while profiting from the skimpy meals.

U.S. District Judge U.W. Clemon ordered marshals to take Morgan
County Sheriff Greg Bartlett into custody at the end of a hearing
Wednesday in Decatur.

The sheriff had testified that he legally pocketed about
$212,000 over three years with surplus meal money but denied that
inmates were improperly fed. Alabama's unusual practice of letting
sheriffs profit from feeding inmates dates back to the Depression.

Clemon, however, said the sheriff would be held until he comes
up with a plan to provide the 300 jail inmates with nutrionally
adequate meals, as required by an earlier court order.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)