Arkansas Sheriff’s department deny forcing inmates to wear Nike shirts for mugshots 'to mock Colin Kaepernick campaign'

Activist and columnist Shaun King drew attention to the pictures of 12 inmates wearing Nike shirts

A Sheriff's department in Arkansas has denied forcing inmates to wear Nike t-shirts during their mugshots as a way to mock the sports giant’s support of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Activist and columnist Shaun King first drew attention to the trend after perusing the Union County Sheriff's Office’s website.

Sharing a picture collage of 12 inmates wearing Nike shirts on Twitter and Facebook, he told his followers that officers were putting Nike t-shirts on people they arrest ‘to mock Nike and Colin Kaepernick. Disgusting.'

In several of the jail booking photos shared online, recently booked inmates were photographed wearing shirts with bold Nike logos across the front. In many cases, the shirts appear to be placed over clothing the inmates were already wearing.

Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts denied any malicious intent, adding that the force would never "demean or disparage" anyone accused of a crime.

He said in a statement that officers gave individuals who lacked “proper attire” the tops when they were booked into the jail so they had something appropriate to wear in mug shots.

“I require that my staff treat everyone with the utmost dignity and respect,” he said in a statement. "We are not, and will not, be influenced by current political and social debates in the media.”

Mr Roberts also apologised for offence that the mugshots had caused and confirmed plans to discontinue the use of the T-shifts.All the mugshots have since been taken offline.

Nike had faced a backlash from some quarters for its decision to feature Mr Kaepernick in its campaign to celebrate marking the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan, which launched on 3 September, with some conservatives even urging consumers to boycott the brand.

The 30-year-old sportsman sparked a nationwide debate by taking a knee as Star-Spangled Banner played in demonstration against police brutality against minority groups and racial inequality.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has since not been picked up by a team and is currently suing the NFL for what he alleges is collusion against him to keep him out of the sport.

According to the jail's roster, the Nike Athletics top started making appearance in mugshots around 15 September. T-shirts with the small Nike 'swoosh' on the lapel appeared on some of the inmates in July.