CLEVELAND, Tenn., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Officials in a Tennessee county are weighing the issue of whether prisoners should be issued used underwear.

Bradley County Sheriff Jim Ruth said he discussed the issue of giving prisoners used undergarments -- properly washed -- with Bradley County commissioners, WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, Tenn., reported Thursday.


Sheriff's department spokesman Bob Gault said the jail has a longstanding policy allowing prisoners to wear only jail-issued clothing. He said all items of clothing are sanitized.

The Tennessee Corrections Institute allows for the re-issuing of underwear and requires all prisoner clothing to be washed twice a week.