The Coimbra City Council and the local prison will sign a cooperation protocol so that inmates of the open prison can work in different parts of the municipality, such as green spaces or urban waste.
A cooperation protocol was unanimously approved today at the executive session of the council with the aim of the labour integration of inmates of the Coimbra prison into the various units of the municipality.
“Thus, the Coimbra Council intends to contribute to the resocialization and promotion of the social, family and professional reintegration of these prisoners, with a view to their gradual autonomy,” the municipality emphasized.
The protocol provides that prisoners may perform tasks such as cleaning forests and forest paths, planting and maintaining green spaces, cleaning cities, collecting urban garbage, as well as repairing and maintaining buildings, and others.
“Other areas of intervention may be added that the municipality considers necessary and appropriate and to which the inmates of the Coimbra prison may respond,” the municipality added.
The work will take place in places designated by municipal services and at specified times.
According to the municipality, prisoners will be entitled to receive from the municipality a “monthly employment allowance equal to the value of the social support index.” [cerca de 500 euros] and a food allowance for each day’s work at a rate corresponding to that paid to the majority of workers performing public functions.”
The protocol also provides that participants may take part in training activities.
The General Directorate of Reintegration and Prison Service will select prisoners who will be able to work in the municipality.