New Jersey judge jailing teachers for not going to school

A New Jersey judge has started the process of jailing 700 teachers for going on strike.

Superior Court Judge Clarkson S Fisher Jr ordered the Monmouth County teachers to go back to work last week.

Starting with teachers whose surnames begin with the letters A and B, he's already jailed 48 for contempt.

"You are holding the keys to the jail," he told the Middletown Township teachers as he sentenced them to one-week sentences. "Any time you want to come out, let me know and you are out."

The teachers are demanding new contracts - they haven't been renewed since June 30.

"When you give in, you are saying, 'Keep stepping on me,'" teacher Barbara Bacmeister told the judge. "Sooner or later you have to stand up for what's right."

Teachers are refusing a board of education proposal requiring them to pay more for their health insurance.