This seems like a good idea to me. The article is old but I'm fairly sure it hasn't changed much.Sorry couldn't seem to copy the link.
TURKEY
Open prison in Dalaman making big profits
MUĞLA – Doğan News Agency | 12/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Mustafa SARIiPEK
An open prison near the Aegean town of Dalaman has started earning big profits. Dalaman Open Prison, which undertakes agriculture-related activities in the Aegean town of Dalaman, made
An open prison near the Aegean town of Dalaman has started earning big profits.
Dalaman Open Prison, which undertakes agriculture-related activities in the Aegean town of Dalaman, made YTL 2.5 million in revenue and YTL 641,000 net profit in the last 10 months.
This year it plans to make YTL 3 million in revenue and a net profit of YTL 800,000.
There are 150 insured prisoners out of a total of 245 in the prison, which was established on a plot spanning 3,600 square meters in 1942.
The prisoners feed 178 big cattle, 478 small cattle, and 78,560 poultry, as well as produce 200 tons of citrus fruits, 540 tons of wheat, and 210 tons of maize annually.
They bake 1,000 loaves of breads in a day. There are also workshops such as carpentry, restaurant management, construction, and aluminum works.
The number of productive and corrective prisons like Dalaman should be increased in the process of the legislative system's modernization, said Akif Celalettin Şimşek, chief prosecutor of the town of Fethiye.
Prisons should be places where people take up a profession and are rehabilitated, he said. This system will also help prisoners when they finish serving their prison term, since they learn a profession so they can adapt to life outside prison more easily.
As the number and variety of the professions increases, its contribution to the state budget will increase too, said Şimşek.
The prisoners are also glad to work where 150 insured prisoners earn YTL 90 a month and a bonus once a year. They can make unregistered telephone calls during working hours and they have five days vacation, the frequency of which depends on their total punishment.
Recep Gökmen, 52, one of the prisoners, said he is happy to work as a farmer where he learns a job and contributes to the states' interests.
ilyas Kayahan, 54, another prisoner, said his life in prison is better than life outside, because he drives a tractor and does husbandry. Some customers of the prison restaurant said the menu is great.
The prison also has a football team, and a theater group where social life is supported by sports and art activities.
The prison's social activity expert, Sibel Ok, said the prisoners have performed plays in several prisons and were appreciated. They are close to professional actors, said Ok.