Right On Rick! Great article!
OMG Thanks for the heads up on Janet Napolito ~ we'll have to keep her under close watch
Our society is so ignorant when it comes to crime and punishment ~
So much for posse comatatus & the 6th amendment! The whole NIMBY (not in my back yard) mentality from our sheeple society costs us billions of dollars. Anyway93% of those in prison today will one day be released. sign me ~ LZ Freedom ~ Salem Oregon

Rick it is a sameful issue trying to remove the slaves where they are resting in peace, this can only happen to blacks If this was Jew CEMETRY no one will even try let all the Black and non stand aganist it to happen

I love Rick Sanchez. He is the best thing that has happened to CNN in a long time. He is the voice of the real people. I love his enthusiasm and he is so down to earth in his interviews and the topics that he approaches. I was really disappointed when he was not on during Thanksgiving week. I first started noticing Rick during the primary.

Keep up the good work Rick. They need to give you more time.

Celina from Kentucky

Hey Rick,
Quit your damn editorializing and report the news. You and the rest of the Cafferty-ite hacks seem to enjoy making the news instead of reporting it.

Guess what Rick? If you go to jail, even while awaiting trial or bail BAD THINGS HAPPEN!!!!! You have absolutely no details of these cases, so you have no right to Pontificate about the Sheriff! As a taxpayer I am saddened that only Sheriff Arpio seems to be enforcing our laws and not baby sitting offenders.

Please get over yourself.

Hi Rick! I am a resident of Tucson, Arizona, where crime is among the highest in the country, we're sick and tired of it! The Arizona sheriff is VERY popular because someone finally is attempting to do something about it! I'm sorry that "prisioners" have been been mistreated, they shouldn't have been, it happens unfortunately. I think the problem lies in Arizonans are so tired of all the crime, are scared too. We live amongst drug smuggling and drug violence every single day, along with all the drugs available on the streets. So, go ahead, bash the Maricopa sheriff, it will all go on deaf ears.

Hello Rick,

Was just listening to you speak of this on CNN. I wanted to stand up in defense of Janet Napolitano. I am a life-long resident of the state of Arizona. Although in the 90's I was still in high school, I remember how welcoming most people in Maricopa county were of Joe Arpaio's reform of the Maricopa county jails. I even had a novelty pink t-shirt that were sold because he made the inmates wear pink underwear, uniforms, and even handcuffs. So in the 90's when Janet Napolitano stood by him then, well she wasn't alone. He we loved by many. Over the years, however, the sherrif has grown more and more extreme and he has lost the favor of many residents of our county, including myself. Many, again including myself, were actually suprised that he won his bid for reelection last month. I do believe that he has fallen out of favor with our govenor, a much loved governor. I again stand up for her and am very proud she will be serving in Obama's cabinet, although she will be greatly missed as our govenor.

Just a note for all the "hang 'em high" croawd.. Even if people are in prison, does not mean we have a moral right to torture, humiliate or degrade a human being. The difference between "jail" and prison" is not the question, it is how we, as a country, can ascribe to sub human trreatment for any citizen. And the same people that are up in arms about Gitmo and torture of suspected terrorists, are often the same people that have utter disregard for our own prisoners. Incarceration IS the punishment, and no correctional officer or facility has a legal right to abuse any prisoner, in any way.
And as a side note, even if a person is in prison, does not mean they are guilty of the crime that they are doing time for. Wake up.. the real crime is often in the courts and with the prosecutors and the so called upholders of law...
I have a loved one in prison. That person DID NOT do the crime, and has lost 15 years of their life due to corrupt enforcement of laws. I have learned alot about prison, and prison systems during that time, and cannot believe the level of ignorance the general public has, and the hate they have for those that are imprisoned, justified or not.

YIKES! Rick, I voted for Obama he was clearly the better candidate. The after effects of this presidency is scaring the hell out of me, & the man hasn't taken office yet. Janet & Eric Holder have both made some horrible decisions in the past. If Janet is associated with this crazy unrepentant super cop, that’s worse than Obama’s loose ties to Ayers. I need to deny these feelings of regret & grasp optimism.

Your interview yesterday with the Sheriff had nothing to do with being remorseful about deaths under his watch. To add an editorial today where you call upon remorse and how he did or didn't show it yesterday is disturbing and a breech of journnalistic ethics. I'm perfectly fine with pushing the boundaries and bringing to light injustice, but if you are going to editorialize an interview at least conduct an interview where you ask him if he is remorseful!

Rick , Civil Liberties and Human Rights are granted to every individual regardless of whether they're a criminal or high-profile celebrity. I think, if these accusations are true, is a total and blatant abuse of power regarding the lives of citizens. Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other of his accomplices in that matter should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

BTW. I'm so glad you have this blog, twitter cuts into my thoughts. I wish you could host No Bias No Bull it's totally your type of show Rick. I don't watch Campbell she's not YOU, instead I watch the two crazies Left & Right, switching between KeithO & BillO. Maybe, CNN can compromise & stick you in the primetime line up somewhere after Lou or b4 Situation Room. Maybe, you & Cafferty could team up & interview people, I know for a fact you two are the people's favorite.

Jail or prison should not make a difference, they're human beings and considering the justice system we have; there are even innocent people in prison. Does everyone think someone arrested for marijuanna possesion should be treated that way too. Always remember it can happen to anyone

Hi, Rick

How can you and the media speak on Gov. Napolitano ask the guy why they haven't investigate the Clintons who people have a web site nameing people who they knew that died mysteriously. Then what about President Bush with connection to Osama Bin Laden family. It is hurting to see what the media would look over and then what they consider important.

Ten years ago that was the same talking points of the Republican about President Elect Obama. What he did in the past and the ones that are talking got more trash in their garbage then anyone. Look at President Richard Nixon and other Republican figures. Also, if she was not elected by President Elect Obama would we be talking about it now.

My question is to you and the person that you have talking about this why is this important when our own President has look over two Boarder Patrols who is in Jail because they was doing their jobs.

Other words if you not going to be fair then shut up and stick to material that is not important.

how many illegals have killed Phoenix Police Officers???????

Campbell Brown brays about sexism yet Rick Sanchez wants to make cute comments about a hockey player getting suspended for outrageous comments. Hey Rick, how would you feel if Avery made those comments about your daughter? Would it still be so cute and would you still make that sarcastic smirk. Grow up.

How many illegals have KILLED Phoenix Police Officers??

Bang bang shot dead in cold blood

W/R/T Plaxico Burress-
Well, now at least Michael Vick will have someone to play catch with.

Every county in the US should have a cloned Sheriff Joe Arpaio. We have a serious problem in Arizona with our illegal population committing serious crimes. Several of our police have been killed by illegals. I feel a lot safer knowing that we have a Sheriff who is taking his job seriously and locking them up. Rick Sanchez doesn't live here and have his family put at risk by these thugs that he locks up. Should jail be so enticing that these criminals look forward to going to jail. I don't think so. The thought of going to jail should be something to be feared as a deterrent. We are too soft in this country on crime.

This kind of conduct in the jail house happens all over the country. In my city and state (spfld. il.) we tax payers are paying for the same kind of lawsuits as we speak and true it's what we call the good ol boys club. Our jail inmates suffer offten at the hands of our guards so much so that my family; friends and concerned citizens have protested out side our jail house. I will say that after the last death in our county jail like almost 2 years ago the sheriff has made some changes but for how long will these changes be affective is my ?. What will it take for our citizens to be treated like humans by our city and county officials? You said it right Rick "inocent untill proven guilty" when did this concept get lost on our powers that be? What can be done to stop those with the power to take your life for no cause?

Hi Rick; I am not happy with Janet Napolitano when my brother and sister in-law were on drugs the state of AZ would not allow me to see my nephews and niece they claimed all gay men are petifiles. I wrote Janet Napolitano and she did nothing to help resolve this problem. It has taken me two years to mend the comunications with my family and things are not as they should be. Janet Napolitano is only as good as the people that work for her and when your dealing with a government of AZ there are no rules or laws that suport the people of this state if you are not one of them. As a gay man comming from SF I have had to give up hope for equality in this state.

I am a past resident of the beautiful state of Arizona. The sheriff will always get my vote. I am not too sure illegal residents of the state feel as I do,but then I am legal. What good is a sheriff that would not follow the laws of the country? Funny how only people on the wrong side of the law find the sheriff too tough. We are with you Joe!

AMEN-Pam!!!! God Bless

You know something, jails/prisons don't have people who did JUST NOTHING!!!

W/R/T the Cemetery issue.
Did you happen to notice the condition of that cemetery? It's obvious no one in the Black community gave much of a damn about the people buried there, nor did they show much pride in the condition of the resting place of their ancestors.
Chances are most of the people now up in arms screaming racism didn't even know the cemetery was there.
Then along comes an industry with a deep pocket, and all of a sudden I smell class action lawsuit.

Stanley Duett-How would the state know you are "gay"???

I was completely honest with CPS, I was told that I need to have a investigation before I could see my nephews and niece but every time you jump on step they put another road block in the way. This state is so homophobis it is unreal.

Now regarding Joe, I don't think the chain gang is a good thing, but as some of you say if you do nothing wrong then you would not be in Jail so that is one to think about. But it does seem to me that in AZ its not easy getting justice. I had a situation where I had to go to a doctor for a herna and a colonsopy the doctor ask if my homosexual ways was the reason I was there. Now everyone knows after a certain age you have to get certain test done. I was told by another doctor to make a complaint to the AZ Medical Board they did not want to investigate. After another leter to Janet Napolitano I received another leter form the AZ Medical Board stating that they were not allowed to use any recorse on this doctor all they would do is write him and letter and let him know that I made a complint. Now these agencies are set up to help the public when you have a problem. Now if you take a problem to Janet Napolitan and nothing get resolved then how is she going to be able to help our country when we truly need security and support.

Rick, I've been an Arizona native for 60 years...what a lot of people don't know is that Arizona is as racist as Biloxi, Miss. This state is run by a status quo of Conservative Mormons. My father, Roy Cooksey, has been fighting racism in this state since the 1940's. In October of this year, a young pregnant woman, in custody, awaiting her rights as a citizen was forced to remain in her jail cell, complaining of stomach pains...hours and hours later, she was rushed to the hospital where she lost her baby. This type of thing goes on in Arizona all the time...The peope who voted for this gestapo are the same type of people who kept Hitler in office,....he told them what they wanted to hear and they followed like sheep. If you complain about this sheriff, I guarantee that you will somehow be arrested, harassed and I do believe killed. I don't understand where the protection is for us common black and brown folks. This state, especially the East Valley is a hot bed for KKK, Skin Heads and believe me....they run the government. My nephew was brutally murdered by a racist cop in 2006...although the family got a 2million dollar settlement...I've lost my sister because the pain is too much for her to bear. From racial profiling to murder....Arizona is the state where, if you're white, you can get away with it.

@Mike in Ct

Are you joking? I'm a woman & I'm so tired of the sexism card being thrown around anytime. It weakends real sexism arguments. Campbell Brown had the audacity to defend Palin regarding clothing using the sexism card incorrectly. Palin 250k clothing had to do with her false image portrayl as "average Joanne hockey mom." Women don't need Campbell Brown on the news sqauwking in defense of sexism, especially when she's wrong. Cambpell needs to go work at Fox News with her husband, and let Rick can do his thing! Rick keeps it real Mike not "politcally correct", that's why he's America's favorite!

Stanley Duett – you need to change your lifestyle. A lifestyle lift will do your soul more justice then Janet.

If you were born that way, you need to be born again.

I have lived in Arizona since 1958 and have followed Janet Napolitano's career. She has never supported Joe Arpaio but has faced the impossible task of dealing with an ultra conservative, anti-civil liberties electorate and legislature which emboldens and encourages Arpaio and his obscene behavior. However, please note that she nas nevertheless successfully managed to reduce Arpaio's most recent actions to simply arrogant strutting and empty threats. You are stirring up a tempest in a teapot. Few others share your concerns.

Rick,

I am amaized that the Latino's are requesting president-elect Obama to include more Latino's in his cabinet. Latino's with businesses in this country will not even hire an African American. I'm a serior citizen and they won't even stop to let me across at the grocery store or shopping mall. They will stop for Latino's or white's. Latino's want to always boguard their way to the front of the line. If a Latino was the the president-elect, I don't think African Americans would be considered for any position.

Rose / Las Vegas, NV

why does rick go out of his way to bad mouth hockey. he was doing a story about a loose mouth athlete who was severly punished by the nhl.but i guess the story wasn`t good enough without gun shots,so he shoots himself in the foot.all sanchez knows about hockey is because of palin,i think sanchez has a palin problem.

It's true not every one is in jail for no reason. Because someone is in jail/prison they should be tortured or end up dead at the hands of the ones that are supposed to protect them and thier const. rights, forgive me if I,m wrong but is'nt there an oath that our elected officials take and are supposed to uphold even through thier employees? Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone, it breaks my heart and dimmens my faith in people to know that alot of humanbeings would be stoned to death right now if this quote was taken as seriously as it was ment! Do the crime spend the time, not ,be killed while surving your time at the hands of your supposed protecters while incarcerated. To those that never, at any time ever break even the most miner of laws, what great, perfect citizens you are! I hope you always and for ever are cause if not......well who knows, maybe you'll be in one of Ricks toughest sheriffs commentaries! To those that have no room in thier hearts for anyone but themselves.

As a resident of Maricopa County there is one thing that was NOT addressed by Rick Sanchez, and that was WHO are in these jails. I will tell you a large majority of the people you will see in the jails are DUI violators; Arizona is known as the toughest state on DUI's. I ended up with a DUI after two glasses of wine, I blew .089 the legal limit is .080 and I had to spend 24 hours in jail (9 days were suspended with alcohol education classes) and it was my first (ever) offense. There were a shocking amount of age 50+ women, mothers and even grandmothers. These are not hardened criminals, these are women who got DUI's.

With so many people ending up in the jail in Maricopa County, I would hope someone would demand the conditions of the jails be improved. I believe I heard the other day that 4 people, in 3 years have died in those same jails. You shouldn't have to worry about being killed in jail over a DUI.

Let's put things in perspective..in the above article it doesn't mention how many years we are talking about..however:

A Houston Chronicle review of state and county records reveals that from January 2001 through December 2006, at least 101 inmates — an average of about 17 a year — have died while in the custody of the Harris County Jail.

so why focus on this sheriff? because he doesn't look the other way when he sees the the source of most of his county's problems illegally flooding into his jurisdiction.

You get a lot of extreme cases in jails..and people die.

The first step in avoiding jails shoul be to follow the law.
illegals are not in compliance with the law..that's why they are called illegals..and that is why they are supposed to end up in custody.

rick is jealous of the ratings that other hispanic anchors get on univision and so he is trying to court the illegal alien market.

Claudia; Save my soul. You know nothing about me I have been saved many time and God loves me as I am. If I had not been on disibility with HIV when I lived in NY I would have been in World Trade seven. If you think God does not love me then you have know idea. I grew up a LDS or RLDS / Mormon, and I can tell you some of my relatives that practice their religion are as blind as you are. God does care if I am gay or straigt as long as I am a good person. People like you are the reason we have so much hate in this world. Have you ever lived in a homeless shelter, or tried to help someone on the street, Take care of a old person that has no one. Think again Gay people have more compassion that most religious people. If it was not for all the different religious radicals we would not have all the wars and we would not be where we are today. Do you seriously believe that your better than me. Remember the Bible says the richoust shall fall. Thanks for your concern but I know God loves me.

Certainly, God loves you Stanley Duett. I never meant to offend you or give the impression that God doesn't love you, he loves us all. I'm non-religious, but have a personal relationship with the Lord. God Loves us all, but he does hate our sins. I'm a Black woman from an urban ghetto, I know all to well what hardship living entails. Gay does not equal good or better then religious people & vice versa. Religious people do not equal ignorant and/or uneducated (I have a B.A.) & vice versa. Nope, I do not believe better than you, nor do I hate you. I do respectfully disagree with you on homosexuality.

I wish you health & a long life. Bless u Stan!

Thanks Claudia, I understand what you are saying. I know what it is like growing up with a radical father. He hated eveyone and the sad thing is he does not realize that his father's grandfather and grandmouther might have been Black. the civil war records have my seconod great grandfather recorded as Blackish or Dark complxion. You speak of sexisom, but is it our place to judge? I was thought that was up to God. I realize that most people don't aprove of gay people because of the story of the Bible. But If I believed everything I was tought as a child I would not like myself. I can't stand radical thinking when it comes to judging someone because of their race or religious or sexual orintation. That is not our place to make those decisions. I have lived in NY SF and I know that all people are good people. Even the Muslems are misunderstood. Yes there are some radicals in every sect, but when are we all going to learn to get along and try to embrace our brothers and sisters. Religion started with Adam and Eve so we are all related some how. I just wish we would realize that its not our place to judge.

Deu 25:1 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that [the judges] may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

The next time you have that racketeering,cowardly,liar Joe Arpaio on your show if you could ask him why does he promote his jail guards to higher positions after they intentionally kill innocent inmates before they're even found gulity of anything?

P.S. Also,could you ask Janet Napolitano why she lets Sheriff Arpaio have his office at the top of the Wells Fargo skyscraper in downtown Phoenix in which the tax payers have to pay his 100,000 dollars a month in rent,which makes him the only Sheriff ever to not have his office in the actual Sheriff's office? And,on top of that why the Governor has never looked into how Mr. Arpaio (according the the Phoenix New Times paper) has spent millions of dollars in cash to purchase properties all over the state of Arizona when he only makes 75,000 dollars a year ?

Perhaps deeper investagations are in order, YA THINK!!!!!

wow, from Alan who accuses you of no details in the deaths (there are many details!! read em alan) to Diana who states joker is popular NO he isnt he is Well known name but popular -state specific reasons why and numbers to go with it! Sara who loves janet please tell us what she has doen for Maricopa county in 8 years!! Please I can think of the enoumous debpt she is leaving us., as well as photo radar her only way to recover all the money. Greg who think joker should not be made to show remorese –your kidding right??? that would be admitting guilt although the courts of law found him 31% guilty. to Eric Ross illegals killing police officers bang bang I saw car crashes, and I also KNOW that they all had out standing warrants that your hero sheriff office IF HE HAD SERVED THEM THESE GUYS WOULD HAVE BEEN OFF THE STREET AND IN JAIL AND COPS WOULD BE ALIVE! get it??and then PAM wants him cloned, you really need to read up on him.! Thank God they cant clone him or you! Thank you Rick for this great article. Ignore the ignorant they chose to be that way.

Rick this iis not a defence of that crasy governer . But in a five year investigation they {FBI] - Bushs dogs could not get to bring this guy in untill he threatens one of BUSHS bigest money backers It is kind of funny that all yhese other " big " crimes were not of great importance utill he threatens the bigest " Bank " ROBBERS of all time

I can related to the inmates, who I mind you are supposely a temporary detainment. While shopping at a local Rite Aid store I was accused of openeng a package of femine napkins. Their was a tussle with me and my 2year old son who I was holding in my arms when the security guard grab me, I was jailed in Kent County Jail in Michigan for unarmed robbery, strip down to nothing but a underwear. They were so abusive I felt my life threaten to the point that they were going to kill me. At the end of this tragic night I was release on a PR bond, go figure did I really commit a crime or did I just piss some people off!