Prisoners in Razgrad clean and beautify green areas in the city center, reported New tv.
The entire space in front of the building of the prosecutor's office and the investigative detention center is ennobled by two people deprived of their freedom. This program was specially created for them to develop and maintain their work skills. There is another one they are included in to help them socialize more easily into society after serving their sentences.
Their names are Ashken Ali and Iliya Mihailov. The first is serving a three-year sentence for drug distribution, and the second for theft.
"I'm very sorry, I was deceived by my friends, I think I won't make such a mistake again,'' Ashkan thinks.
They were transferred to Razgrad in the newly opened division of the prison dormitory in Belene under a work and socialization program. Every day, not only do they sweep the alleys and maintain the green areas, but they have also cleared the self-grown vegetation along the rocks of the nearby canal, and paved paths.
And the fact that prisoners move freely among the citizens, they say, does not scare anyone. According to Ashken, everyone respects them very much and they are not afraid of them.
The mayor of Razgrad also confirms it. "It is accepted completely calmly, because we have not received a single signal or in any way a complaint that people are in danger,", says Dobrin Dobrev.
"They are in direct contact with the citizens and so far we do not have a single signal that they have hindered anyone,", assures Yanko Yankov, head of the District Office "Enforcement of Punishments".
While they work, prisoners are monitored by guards and are about to be fitted with satellite tracking bracelets. According to the detention center, the program helps them socialize months before they return home.
And according to Yankov, when they work unpaid work for the benefit of society, they are considered two days instead of three. But there are other benefits - they get to see their loved ones every week.
"Realistically, we help them find jobs so they can support their families. For example, Ashkan Ali has a proposal from the director of "Parkstroy" after completing his sentence, he wants to be hired," Yankov also reveals..
If the work program for prisoners in Razgrad turns out to be successful, it is expected to include other serving light sentences.