RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The city of Abre Campo, MG, has suffered in recent days from heavy rainfall in the region, and was devastated by the flooding of the Santana River.
With a lack of manpower to assist in the city’s rehabilitation, the city’s prison director did something unprecedented.
The General Director of the penitentiary, Leandro de Freitas da Silva, requested the District Judge, Dr. Bruno Miranda Camelo, to authorize the inmates to work on cleaning up the city.
The permission was authorized, thus guaranteeing a reduction of the prisoners’ sentences, according to Law No. 12,433. According to the Director, 33 inmates were involved.
Still according to the law, the work of prisoners is a social duty, and aims to improve their social and personal condition.
“The city was completely destroyed. The shopping mall was completely flooded and dozens of shopkeepers lost virtually everything. I’ve been here for seven years and I hold this town dear. To be able to help in any way at this moment is very rewarding. We had the support of the City Hall, of the Judiciary and partners in the prison system,” said the director.