Sheriff Arpaio’s policy not to transport inmates for any elective procedure, including abortions, didn’t win him many friends. The Arizona ACLU complained he trampled on the First Amendment rights of female prisoners. The highest court in the state agreed, saying pregnant inmates have the right to an abortion, and county deputies must drive them to the clinic. Although disappointed by the outcome, Sheriff Arpaio stands by his policy.

“I run a tough jail system. I don’t believe we should use taxpayer money for this type of activity.”

Dorinda Bordlee, an attorney with the Bioethics Defense Fund, says the policies were also set to protect Arpaio and his staff.

“The sheriff would be held liable if he voluntarily was bringing women to abortion clinics.”

“This is just another instance of activist judges who fail to recognize that abortion is very dangerous.”

Carrie Gordon Earll of Focus on the Family Action says now Arizona law enforcement will be spending taxpayer dollars on abortions, and who knows what else.

“It’s possible that, based on this ruling, they have opened up the sheriff and this county to all sorts of crazy requests from inmates.”

Ironically, neither the sheriff’s nor the taxpayer’s rights are being taken into account in the case.