I'm all for chain gangs. Many public roadways have been improved by those repaying their debt to society.
But France has something else in mind for what cons can do on the road.
Next month 196 prisoners, accompanied by 124 armed guards and trainers, will embark on a bike tour of France.
A Penal Tour De France if you will.
The purpose is to foster teamwork and individual effort. Raise the self-esteem and confidence of prisoners set to be released from prison in the coming years. Give them a taste of the country side while under constant 24 hour machine gun surveillance.
It's the kind of thing stationary bike lined up in the prison yard just can't achieve.
The prisoners' Tour de France will take them 2,300 km (1,400 miles) around the country, starting in the northern city of Lille on June 4 and stopping in 17 towns, each of which has a prison.
The final chance to escape, or the finish line, will be in Paris.
In speaking about this historic pedal of freedom, one prisoner, Daniel stated his intentions: "It's a kind of escape for us, a chance to break away from the daily reality of prison."
If Daniels friends on the outside place enough tacks on the road, my guess is he'll get his wish.
Via Reuters
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Take them out of prison and give them a mode of transportation? Nice.
I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but it's killer concept for a escape movie.
probably a straight to DVD action comedy - starring Martin Lawrence, Dane Cook, Damon Wayons and one of the lesser known Baldwin brothers.
Why not a "Tour of Siberia" or "The Great Sahara Race"? Less chances of a escape...
Have I read it right? Less guards than prisoners? Even with the guns, a minority in numbers can be threatening...
Movie Titles:
"Prison Break-ing Away"
"The Longest Kilometer"
To put a Stephen King-turn on: "The Pedaling Man" - last place team at each leg gets executed, first place team gets a pardon (see "The Running Man" and another book he published as Richard Bachman, "The Long Walk").
Great references Kevin... The Long Walk is just great.
Very nice ideas Kevin, that reminds me of George Carlin's State Prison Farms bit.