Pedaling Freedom: Prisoners in Brazil Can Decrease Sentences by Charging Batteries With Stationary Bikes
- Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:30pm by
Liz Klimas
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(Image: National Journal screenshot)
Taking a hint from Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a prison in Brazil is incentivizing stationary biking. In both cases — in Arizona and Brazil’s Santa Rita do Sapucaí prison — the biking is used to generate energy. In Brazil though, the exercise can actually help reduce inmates sentence times (in Arizona they more simply are given use of the TV).
According to the country’s National Journal (translated from Spanish), Judge José Henrique Mallmann got the idea from American institutions that had implemented this system, saying he believes it will help control potentially destructive down time. The prison has two bikes that charge batteries when they’re pedaled. Every 16 hours pedaled is equivalent to one less day behind bars.
The prisoners may not get to see the literal fruits of their labor, but those passing in the city square at night do. The National Journal reports a day of pedaling is worth powering six light bulbs in the square. At some point, the prison hopes to have 10 bikes running that will help light up the whole street.
The inmates, in addition to reducing sentences, have reported losing weight as well. One of the prison’s wardens also said that the atmosphere within the prison has changed since the inmates started biking.
“They are working towards cycling,” Gilson Silva Rafael said to the National Journal. “They are gaining remission and producing energy, healthy energy. Today there is much talk about sustainability.”
Weight loss was the reason why Arpaio instituted the biking system with the female inmates in Arizona in the first place. CBS News reported in 2010 that Arpaio created a system where the bike the inmates pedaled would power the TV they were watching. If they slowed down to certain point, the TV would shut off as well.
(H/T: io9)
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MRMANN
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 6:02amFascinating idea. I‘d like to hear more about the Arizona system the Brazilian’s was patterned after.
Report Post »v15
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 2:07amToday: Brazil
Report Post »Tomorrow: Tour de France
catholicextremist
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:49amOne more reason to round up all the illegals. Renewable energy.
Report Post »sandy21957
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:34pmGot to love Arpaio!!!!!
Report Post »americaneagle
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:11pmKind of weird and creepy like the Matrix. Using people for electricity!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:23pmthats Judge
Report Post »marine249
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:23pmJude ” I hereby sentence you to 20 years of hard bike riding
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:04pmAh Yes…. do you still want a battery powered car ??…… all those south eastern states…. or how about solar on your roof…. you all had better get bycicles….
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 6:38pmthey make solar panels that are flexible if they made a roofing
Report Post »material from this id incorporate it in a house i was building
if it had a south facing roof with new batteries and new solar
technology its getting close to being a net positive to incorporate
it in new construction solar power can provide 60 – 90% of the power
of an average house the only negative left is battery cost / life
and with new battery tech the initial cost may soon be offset by
length of the new batteries life. the main problem with alternative energy
systems is the people behind them have never heard of the kiss principle (Keep it simple stupid)
they decide on the newest cool thing over dependability and lower cost every time.
billrow
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:00pmWith 2 million American prisoners riding generator bikes, they could power a couple hundred chevy volts.
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