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No Christmas Celebrations For Jail Inmates

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says he will provide spiritual guidance, but not holiday celebration, for 10,000 inmates in the jail under his control.

Sheriff Dart says there will be numerous holiday religious programs within the jail confines.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's John Cody Reports

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Francis Cardinal George was set to celebrate Christmas mass at the jail, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson was to present a Christmas day program as well.

Dart said significant attention will be paid to the religious side of the holiday, and the inmates will not be at a loss for spiritual comfort and guidance.

But Sheriff Dart says the normal things most people want around Christmas will not go on at Cook County Jail. Secular enjoyments of food and presents will not be going on behind bars.

"We suggest those interested in maintaining Christmas traditions do so outside jail, not come in in the first place," Dart said.

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