Inmates at the Hamilton County Justice Center now have a strikingly noticeable jail uniform.

        Tuesday, male inmates began wearing black-and-white striped jumpsuits, reminiscent of jail outfits worn in the 1920s.

        The new uniforms replace blue, green and, in some cases, orange “scrubs.” Officials were worried that the old uniforms too closely resembled medical garb.

        If an inmate escaped, the old jumpsuits wouldn't necessarily have called attention to the inmate, said Hamilton County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett.

        “In the new uniforms, there would be no question,” he said.

        The new uniforms cost the county $14.08 each, a slight increase from the scrubs cost of $13.85.

        The new jumpsuits surprised some in the courthouse Tuesday.

        “Where in the world did he get that outfit?” asked Common Pleas Judge Thomas Crush as he sentenced a defendant Tuesday.

        The man's attorney said the uniform was new.

        “Seriously?” the judge asked. “I thought it was a joke.”

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