Numerous carpets along with an average of 10 cars a day are washed using the latest technology by the prisoners. The service also contributes to the prison budget and help prisoners develop vocational skills they could use once they are released, according to prison officials. Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Hatay Chief Prosecutor Enis Yavuz Yıldırım said, “In the state prison, which has been operating for almost a year, they are working towards awarding a certificate to each of the 86 prisoners in at least one skill.”He said several courses have been set up for the prisoners to equip them with skills as barbers, bakers, carpenters and to give them access to computer studies. Two small factories for the car and carpet wash have been opened, and these services have drawn the most attention from locals.
“Through these courses and services, our prisoners leave prison armed with certain skills. We contribute to the budget of the prison through these services and also provide useful services to our citizens,” Yıldırım said.
Prison Warden Muzaffer Avcı said the price of washing a carpet is TL 1 per square meter and the car wash is TL 5, although he said making money through the services was not the primary goal. “These courses are attractive to our prisoners. They learn new skills while they are here in prison. Thanks to these courses, it's easier to find a job.”
