Six inmates of the prisons of Angra do Heroísmo and Horta will begin working in the maintenance of regional roads and in the cleaning of public spaces in the islands of Terceira and Faial.

This measure falls into the ambit of a protocol that was signed between the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Equipment (SRCTE), through the Regional Directorate for Equipment and Land Transport, and the Ministry of Justice, represented by its General-Directorate of the Prison Services.

SRCTE will provide professional training that is appropriate to the correct knowledge and performance of the tasks to be assigned to the inmates. 

The Protocol also envisions the payment of a scholarship/monthly subsidy to each of the inmates as well as personal insurance  for work-related accidents. These funds should reach the figure of 20 thousand euros per year. 

This partnership, which is part of a process of co-operation that began in 2007, aims for the social integration of citizens that are presently serving time in the prison establishments of the cities of Angra do Heroísmo and Horta.

In the view of SRCTE, the co-operation efforts that have been developed in the past two years with the Ministry of Justice  have been "very positive" for all parties concerned.