The Curran-Fromhold Correctional Faciloty in Philadelphia has given its inmates a rather unusual opportunity: A select group of inmates have been chosen to spend four weeks creating a chair nearly six feet tall.
What's even more bizarre is who will be sitting on it — Pope Francis.
"At first I thought it was a little strange, honestly, like, why's he coming to a prison?" says inmate Evan Davis, 26. "But then you realize, he's coming to the prison basically to show people everybody in jail is not a criminal. And we need hope now just as much as anybody."
Davis sanded the throne made of walnut, scrubbed the grain, and smoothed the seat. The program is known as PHILACOR, and it aims to give prisoners carpentry skills as a part of their rehabilitation.
Sometimes unconventional methods are necessary to get through to a tough crowd; other prisons have even used dog therapy programs like Paws for Prisons.
"It really gives you joy knowing you're making something for someone so big that's coming to the city," says inmate Michael Green of Chester. "[Although we] made bad decisions to be in jail, but by doing this right here, it gives me a sense of gratitude that I can give something back to my community and be a better person when I come home."
See how these inmates are finding a new sense of pride and purpose by creating this special gift for Pope Francis.
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