Pamela Anderson Serves Veggie Meals In US Jail

Inmates at a prison in Arizona got a shock when Pamela Anderson turned up to serve lunch.

The former Baywatch star and animal rights activist was there to show support for Maricopa County Jail's vegetarian meal programme.

Anderson, who is a spokesperson for the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), told reporters she was impressed with what she saw.

"I think it's very helpful and encouraging to give people the chance to eat compassionately and make non-violent choices when it comes to their eating habits."

The correction centre in Phoenix stopped serving meat to the more than 8,000 inmates nearly a year and a half ago.

Some have criticises Anderson for aligning herself with Joe Arpaio, America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" and a controversial figure who has been accused of racially profiling Latinos.

But the star focused on the meal initiative, saying she hoped the programme would be a model for prisons across the country.

Sheriff Arpaio said the programme has saved around $200,000 (£135,000) of taxpayer's money per year.

Prisoners are given a peanut butter sandwich with oranges and crackers for brunch and a hot meal of different vegetable and soy dishes for dinner.