Brazilian Prisoners Knit Their Way to a New Life

[DeSwiss]

NTDTV·Published on May 17, 2013

Brazilian prison inmates take up knitting needles to help propel a local business to success.

Full Story:

Needles in hand, inmates at a Brazilian penitentiary are knitting their way to a brighter future thanks to a local businesswoman who was short on staff and needed to boost production for her clothing line.

Twenty prisoners at the Ariosvaldo Campos Pires prison are taking part in the Flor de Lotus (Lotus Flower) Project. Inmates are trained to knit and crochet for a local fashion design company that then exports the products to the United States, France, Japan and other countries.

The idea launched in 2009 when fashion designer Raquell Guimaraes looked to increase production for her Doiselles line of knitwear as demand surged in foreign markets.

{Raquell Guimaraes, Designer}:
"This workforce, I loved the story of going to a penitentiary."

Guimaraes teaches the inmates the art of knitting and crocheting, giving them a valuable skill set and work experience that they can then use upon their release as they look for employment in the outside world.

The prisoners are paid a starting salary of 75 percent of the minimum wage in Brazil, though their pay can increase depending on how much work they produce.

Guimaraes estimates that about 100 inmates have taken part in the project since its inception more than four years ago. They currently have openings for 15 new knitters as some current participants prepare for freedom.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://ntdtv.org
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C

[BainsBane]

1. That's much better

than the slave labor prisoners in this country are subjected to.

[msongs]

2. using impisoned labor to cut costs. great justification for privatized for profit prisons. ugh nt

[SoapBox]

3. oh....

"...The prisoners are paid a starting salary of 75 percent of the minimum wage in Brazil, though their pay can increase depending on how much work they produce."

So Mr. Local-Business-Designer-Guy...when do the beatings start, to get them to produce more?

[formercia]

4. Crewel and unusual punishment.

[DeSwiss]

5. ;-)