BARTOW, Fla., July 16 (UPI) -- A Florida sheriff said men booked into his county's jail are no longer being provided underwear free of charge, but they do have the option of purchasing pairs.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the Polk County Jail canteen now sells underwear at $2.54 for a pair of briefs and $4.48 for a pair of boxer shorts, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.


"If they expect me to buy them, they're going to wear nothing," Judd said.

He said the policy, which does not apply to women booked into the jail, is projected to save the county $45,000 per year.

Judd said men are not allowed to bring their own underwear from outside because it takes workers too long to search the garments for drugs and weapons.

"This is all about a tough economy," Judd said. "Forty-five thousand dollars a year is someone's job."