PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) -

Actress Pamela Anderson is going to jail Wednesday morning, but she didn't do anything wrong. She will be visiting Maricopa County Jail to get a firsthand look at Sheriff Joe Arpaio's vegetarian program.

Anderson is a longtime vegan and spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Anderson and PETA's senior vice president, Dan Mathews, will check out the MCSO's food factory then tour Tent City.

PETA applauds Arpaio's policy and is calling for jails and prisons nationwide to follow his lead.

"Sheriff Arpaio's meat-free jail policy is as bold as his animal cruelty unit," Mathews said. "PETA has helped veganize menus at universities, corporations and sports arenas and, with MCSO, a mega-size jail, as an example, will now reach out to jails and prisons."

"I believe people can be rehabilitated from the inside out," Anderson said. "Jails are full of people wanting to change, to make amends, to learn healthier habits and understand compassion and empathy."

Arpaio said the Maricopa County Jail system serves healthy, cost-effective, meat-free meals to inmates.

"I am proud of our jail system, which surely ranks among the best in the nation, and am very gratified that our vegetarian meals are being recognized and lauded by PETA today," Arpaio said in a news release. "Those meals, which translate to serving an average of 8,300 inmates each day, are both nutritious and well-balanced and lower in cost than you'll find in any other jail anywhere."

The Sheriff's Office has calculated that eliminating meat has saved the county and its taxpayers some $200,000 each year. Additional benefits include reduced electricity costs, not having to tailor a variety of meals to suit different religious convictions and other special requests, and providing healthier meals that don't spoil as quickly as animal products.

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Arpaio to welcome Pamela Anderson to jail