Here’s a new way to think about criminal justice: an intersection of energy needs, community, and opportunity. In a rural prison a few hours north of São Paulo, Brazil, inmates reduce their sentence by pedaling bikes that generate electricity for a nearby town.

The program is a recent development in Brazil and one of several related efforts throughout the country. The bikes are hooked up to small generators that power up community spaces with previously unmet needs for energy. In this particular case, a riverside park outside of São Paulo enjoys lamplight after sunset, making the area safer and more accessible to its frequenters.

Those behind this program believe it is important to address the marginalized members of society: what better way to do this than to provide inmates with the opportunity to contribute to their community? Inmates have responded to the program positively, reporting a greater sense of internal satisfaction and personal importance.

The bikes themselves are assembled from used and recycled parts and materials. For every 3 days of biking, inmates can shave a day off their sentence.