Christmas songs, they either make you want to sing along - or pull your own ears off and baste the turkey with them.

That's why we find ourselves in the strange position of (almost) feeling sorry for US prisoners who are being subjected to a non-stop Christmas playlist.

Jail bosses in Maricopa County, Arizona, have started playing a selection of Christmas music and hymns into the prisons, and will continue to do so for the rest of the holiday period.

While they say the annual tradition is intended to give "a little Christmas cheer" to the incarcerated crooks, many of the prisoners claim it is an added punishment.

Some have even filed lawsuits claiming cruel and unusual punishment and forced participation in religious celebrations - we guess it all depends on how often they play Cliff.

The sheriff's office has said it expects courts to dismiss the lawsuits.

Original here