26 May,2009 07:59 AM IST | | Agencies
A select group of French prisoners will be given a rare taste of freedom next month when they are let out of jail to participate in their own Tour de France. Peddling away: Like the actual Tour de France, this race too will end in Paris
Close to 200 prisoners will take to the open roads as they cycle around France next month in the first penal version of the Tour de France, though they will be accompanied by scores of guards on bicycles.
196 prisoners
The 196 prisoners will cycle in a pack and breakaway sprints will not be allowed.
They will be accompanied by 124 guards and prison sports instructors.
The prisoners will not be ranked and will be encouraged to work as a team.
"It's a kind of escape for us, a chance to break away from the daily reality of prison," said Daniel, a 48-year-old prisoner in the western city of Nantes, at the official launch of the event.
"If we behave well, we might be able to get released earlier, on probation," he said.
2,235 km
The prisoners' Tour de France will take them 2,235 km around the country, starting in the northern city of Lille on June 4 and stopping in 17 towns, each of which has a prison. However, participants will sleep in hotels.
The finish line will be in Paris, following Tour de France tradition.
"This project aims to help these men re-integrate into society by fostering values like effort, teamwork and self-esteem," said Sylvie Marion of the prison authority.
"We want to show them that, with some training, you can achieve your goals and start a new life," she said.
