Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced a new program where inmates have to pedal on exercise bicycles to watch television.

Inmates will pedal on a bike that generates 12 volts, enough electrical current to power a 19-inch tube television at the Tent City television viewing area. One hour of pedaling equals one hour of television watching.

Typically, inmates are only allowed to watch the Weather Channel, Food Network, and C-SPAN, but with the new program they will be allowed to watch any local channel.

Arpaio said he hopes the new idea encourages inmates to exercise.

For now the program is only available to female inmates because they seemed more receptive to the idea than the male inmates, Arpaio said in a statement.

Arpaio said only those who have agreed to pedal will have access to the inmate-powered television. Inmates won't be charged a monthly gym fee but will have to sign a contract, Arpaio said.