The only female chain gang in the world was out Wednesday morning with a message

The only female chain gang in the world was out Wednesday morning with a message: drink and drive and you could be joining the chain gang.

You can't miss this crew cleaning up trash in a field in Phoenix, wearing black and white striped jail garb and sporting "Clean(ing) and Sober" pink shirts.

The 4th of July holiday is only days away, but Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is warning drivers about the consequences of drinking and driving.

"I hope that everyone driving by that sees the chain gang will think twice about drinking and driving..they will end up on this chain gang if they do," he said.

His female chain gang is out every day picking up trash, pulling weeds and helping to bury the bodies of indigents.

Now Arpaio is using them to prevent crime. Many of these women are behind bars because of DUIs.

"I went to prison on a felony DUI, driving on a suspended driver's license," said "Jill", a Tent City inmate.

A tough lesson to learn - Jill did not want to give us her full name, but she is ready to share her story.

"We brought this on ourselves, but then again, I am glad I am owning up to my mistakes and I am here trying to make my wrongs right," she said.

Inmates volunteer for the chain gang, but not because they like the work. They are trying to stay out of lock down.

It's hotter in the tents than it is outside. The Sheriff says he's doing the women a favor.

"It's only 113 today. In the tents..138 yesterday, so they are cooling off by being here," he said.

You'll see them all over the valley through the holiday weekend -- a bold reminder. If you get caught, you could end up on the chain gang.

Arpaio plans to put the chain gangs out in force for the MLB All-Star weekend. They will also be reminding baseball fans about drinking and driving.

The Sheriff started the all-female chain gang back in 1996. The program provides crews that clean up communities and save taxpayers money by working for free.