Cebu, Philippines
Convicted murderers, drug dealers, and rapists are keeping fit in a Philippine prison by dancing in formation to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Security consultant Byron Garcia started teaching the dance routines last year as a way of encouraging the men to exercise. Now, hundreds of dancers in orange jumpsuits perform the “zombie dance” twice a day. Other prisoners prefer to don nuns’ habits, which are provided by the authorities, and do a number from the Whoopi Goldberg film Sister Act. Footage of the prison-yard performances has become popular on Youtube.com. Garcia said the dancing has had a positive effect on morale and discipline. “Three years ago, these inmates were very unruly,” he told Al Jazeera.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Frauds: ‘fantastically stylish’ crime heist caper is a ‘triumph’The Week Recommends Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker play a pair of ex-cons planning one last job
-
The struggles of Aston MartinIn the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rightsThe Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
