I came across the article below the other day about a prisoner reform program in France. Before reading it, compare it to this sentence that I found embedded in an article about food in relation to one prisoner "reform" program in the US.
from this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/dining/04farm.
My response - REALLY????And now, in France...
A New Tour de France: Prisoners Cycle and Recycle Themselves
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A very different Tour de France will begin next month in Lille when 200 prisoners will cycle around France under the watchful eyes of guards. Will this foster teamwork and sportsmanship or merely provide a new avenue for escape? Read on and decide.
According to news sources, the prisoners will travel 1,400 miles around France, starting in Lilles in the north on June 4 and ending in Paris, in true Tour de France tradition. These bikers, however, have another set of very strict rules to follow. They must travel in packs and never break away or they will be disqualified. The prisoners will not sleep in hotels like their Tour de France counterparts nor will any of them receive a ranking, as the idea is to foster values like teamwork and effort.
In the words of one prisoner from the city of Nantes, who is only referred to as Daniel:
According to Sylvie Marion, one of the prison authorities:
Certainly someone like Lance Armstrong, valiant American winner of this strenuous competition knows all about beating the odds and the values of effort and teamwork. Somewhere along the line, these prisoners missed their chance. How powerful the promise for the human spirit that they now have the chance to capture it again!
What else offers life if not the opportunity to better oneself while still chasing that elusive butterfly of hope?
Go team!
In the words of one prisoner from the city of Nantes, who is only referred to as Daniel:
“It's a kind of escape for us, a chance to break away from the daily reality of prison. If we behave well, we might be able to get released earlier, on probation.”
According to Sylvie Marion, one of the prison authorities:
“This project aims to help these men reintegrate into society by fostering values like effort, teamwork and self-esteem. We want to show them that with some training, you can achieve your goals and start a new life.”
Certainly someone like Lance Armstrong, valiant American winner of this strenuous competition knows all about beating the odds and the values of effort and teamwork. Somewhere along the line, these prisoners missed their chance. How powerful the promise for the human spirit that they now have the chance to capture it again!
What else offers life if not the opportunity to better oneself while still chasing that elusive butterfly of hope?
Go team!
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