When most people think of going to prison, the things that come to mind generally don't include swimming in pools, surfing the web or cooking your own food; at the San Antonio prison in Venezuela, this is the case. Inmates are reportedly free to do all of these things and more in this atypical slammer.
The prison is armed by guards and there are strict regulations when they are imposed, but there are a number of leisure activities too. Prisoners can cook their own food, watch TV, surf the web on their laptops, use cell phones, and run businesses. They are free to walk and roam the "yards" as they please.
Prisoners have jobs and make money -- barbers, drug dealers, cock fight club owners are just some of the typical occupations. Others simply lay in their air conditioned cells while their wives/girlfriends are invited to come and go as they please. There is also a 54-unit women's annex that was recently built in the yard in which inmates can romantically pursue as they please. The inmates' children can spend the day swimming in their pools, and on weekends, the prison is open for all visitors that wish to hang out and have a good time on the premises.
Indulgent Venezuelan Jails
The San Antonio Prison Features Pools, Televisions and Laptops
Trend Themes
1. Luxurious Prison Facilities - Opportunity for companies to disrupt the prison industry by offering high-end amenities and services for inmates.
2. Inmate Entrepreneurship - Potential for disruptive innovation in creating programs that enable inmates to develop entrepreneurial skills and run businesses within the prison.
3. Alternative Rehabilitation Approaches - Disruptive innovation potential in reimagining prison systems to focus on rehabilitation through leisure activities, education, and family connection.
Industry Implications
1. Prison Services - Opportunity for companies to offer specialized services and products catering to luxurious prison facilities and the unique needs of affluent inmates.
2. Education and Training - Potential for disruptive innovation in developing educational and entrepreneurial training programs tailored for inmates to equip them with valuable skills for reintegration into society.
3. Recreation and Leisure - Opportunity for businesses to provide leisure and entertainment services, such as recreational facilities and family-oriented activities, within prison environments.