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July 15, 2008
British Convicts Hug Trees for Early Release
British prisoners angling for early release are being encouraged to become tree-huggers — literally:
Inmates are signing up for a National Lottery-funded project to assess and measure our ancient trees.
One trusted method of gauging their age is to "hug" the tree trunk — linking arms around it to measure the girth.
The Prison Service insists it does not receive funding for taking part in the five-year scheme, and that it helps prisoners to improve their maths skills. But it is bound to benefit any inmates who take part, especially more serious offenders who have to persuade a parole board that they are fit for release.
The Woodland Trust calls the project the "Summer of Hugs."
Remarks a spokesman for the TaxPayers' Alliance:
Victims are led to believe criminals are being punished, not taught to hug trees.
But only law-abiding citizens are punished in Britain these days.
A panda attempts to earn early release from the zoo.
Posted by Van Helsing at July 15, 2008 10:17 AM
Comments
Correction, Van: Subjects, not citizens.
Posted by: Lyle at July 15, 2008 11:16 AM
