Sheriff Joe Arpaio makes Maricopa County inmates pedal to watch TV

A US county sheriff has started a program he calls "Pedal Vision", in which inmates pedal stationary bikes to generate electricity for television sets.

The bikes are customised to turn on connected TV sets once inmates at Phoenix's Tent City Jail pedal enough to generate 12-volts of electricity. An hour of pedalling equals an hour of television.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said inmates only will be able to watch television if they choose to pedal.

He said he started the program with female inmates because they seemed more receptive.

Sheriff Arpaio said the only exercise female inmates have been getting is speed-walking around the tent yard.