Ananova:

The man dubbed "America's toughest sheriff" is making convicted drink drivers wear pink underpants.

They are also forced to work in a chain gang to perform public burials of people who died of alcohol abuse.

Joe Arpaio, sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, has previously housed prisoners in old military tents.

"Maybe this will warn people - knock it off, don't drink and drive," Mr Arpaio said. "You'll end up in pink underwear on the chain gang."

The drink drive convicts perform burials at a local cemetery where many homeless alcoholics are buried.

They have also been assigned to clean a busy street wearing striped trousers and pink shirts that read "Sheriff DUI (driving under the influence) Chain Gang" on the back and "Clean(ing) and Sober" on the front.

Michael McDaniel, an inmate serving a four-month sentence for aggravated DUI and driving on a suspended license, said he volunteered for the chain gang to get out of the jail tents.

"It's good to get out of the tents and be in the public," the 30-year-old said. "Hopefully it keeps someone from drinking and driving."

But he described his outfit as "a little embarrassing." "I don't like the colour pink, but I can live with it," he said.