New York, July 3 (ANI): A jail in Brazil has said that it will give inmates one day off for every 16 hours they ride exercise bikes tied to generators.
The electricity collected is used to power lightbulbs in Brazil's Santa Rita do Sapucai prison.
According to a report in the Jornal Nacional, the city's judge has instated a policy that rewards prisoners for generating energy by riding stationery bikes, the New York daily News reported.
The energy they produce by riding the bikes charges batteries that are later taken to the city centre in southern Minas, where they are used to power lightbulbs.
The prison currently has only two bikes, which are located in the courtyard. At the current rate of pedaling, one full day produces enough energy to power six light bulbs, though it's not clear for exactly how long.
But the voluntary program has been so successful, the prison is adding eight bikes, bringing the total to 10, which will power enough lightbulbs to "illuminate the entire avenue" in the city centre.
Judge Jose Henrique Mallmann said he got the idea from reading on the Internet about similar programs in America, such as one in Arizona.
There, Sheriff Joe Arpaio instituted a program in 2010 called "Pedal Vision," in which female inmates at the Tent City Jail in Phoenix generated power to watch television by riding stationary bikes. One hour of pedalling equalled one hour of television.
Prisoners at the Santa Rita do Spucai prison seem to like the opportunity to get some exercise and break up the monotony of their routine.
One inmate even said he has so far lost "about four pounds." (ANI)
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