Brazil Uses Inmates to Power Street Lamps-Say “What!?”

I remember watching cartoons when I was younger and thought it was cool when the character would get on a stationary bike and pedal to power something or use a hamster on a wheel. Brazil has taken that idea and instead of hamsters they are using inmates in a medium-security prison to power a riverfront promenade of a nearby town. The prison is using four bikes, powered by inmates that charges a car battery that is then driven into town by a guard and hooked up to a converter that gives power to the 10 lights along the riverfront. The battery is then driven back by a guard in the morning so the process can be repeated.

The inmates that participate can earn time for early release if they spend enough time on the bikes. 3 eight hour shifts equal one day off of their sentence.

The judge got the idea for this by reading how gyms here in the U.S. were using bikes to generate electricity.  Officials hope to add more bikes and batteries so they can light all 34 of the walkways lights at night.

Do you think that this system is a good idea? What are your thoughts about the time off? Is it too much? Leave a comment below and let us know.