Merksplas prison inmates help Chiro with camp, play football: 'Invaluable'

Inmates at Belgium's Merksplas prison have engaged in a unique collaboration with Chirojeugd Vlaanderen, a local youth movement. Thousands of young people are camping near the prison, and detainees provided crucial assistance with setting up their bivouac.

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It's nice to come and help. I like working with my hands, so this is really something for me.

Beyond helping with the construction of stages and hanging signage, the prisoners also participated in a football match against Chiro volunteers. "It's nice to come and help," said E., an inmate. "I like working with my hands, so this is really something for me." Another inmate, J., expressed enthusiasm, having seen a YouTube video about the event.

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The fact that youth organizations in the free world are willing to help reintegrate people in detention is of inestimable value. We are particularly grateful to the Chiro for their social commitment.

Prison director Serge Rooman praised the initiative, stating, "The fact that youth organizations in the free world are willing to help reintegrate people in detention is of inestimable value. We are particularly grateful to the Chiro for their social commitment." Casper, a Chiro volunteer, noted the opportunity to engage with the prison community while they were neighbors.

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Now that we are neighbors to the prison for a while, it is a nice opportunity to do something together. That's how the ball started rolling and we looked for ways to shape the cooperation.

Although the inmates lost the football match, both sides viewed the collaboration positively. The Chiro movement emphasized its connection to the surrounding society, highlighting the mutual benefits of such community interactions.

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The Chiro is not an island. We have an eye for the society around us.