Satu Mare, Romania – In a unique initiative promoting rehabilitation and self-sufficiency, inmates at the Satu Mare Penitentiary are actively involved in the daily operations of the prison's extensive farm. The program sees prisoners cultivating crops and raising livestock, directly contributing to their own sustenance and the overall functioning of the facility. Pop Stefan, a 39-year-old inmate, shared his experience, stating, "I'm Pop Stefan, 39 years old, and I ended up in prison for drug trafficking. I generally take care of the animals, feed them, and clean. For me, it's something I'm used to; at home, I was a veterinary assistant and raised animals. It's a normal day." He expressed satisfaction in knowing his labor provides healthy food for his fellow inmates, emphasizing, "It matters a lot, and we know we eat healthy, from our own farm, so to speak." Another inmate, Boroș Cătălin Iosif, 38, incarcerated for driving without a license, works in the pig sector. "I prepare food for the pigs, slaughter pigs at the abattoir, and we take care of them, clean them, and so on," he explained. When asked about the quality of food, he confidently stated, "Yes, because I know what I'm eating and what we send to the prison." Giurgiu Ovidiu, a prison official, elaborated on the farm's operations. "Within the zootechnical sector, two farms operate: a bovine farm and a swine farm. The bovine farm has a total of 53 heads, of which about 20 are breeding stock (dairy cows and heifers), and the rest are young animals for fattening." He added that the bovine farm produces approximately 90,000 liters of milk and 8,000-9,000 kg of beef annually. The swine farm has a capacity of 250 heads, including breeding sows and fattening pigs. An authorized slaughterhouse on-site ensures a constant supply of fresh pork for the penitentiary. Cătălin Coșarcă, another official, detailed the vegetable sector. "On the vegetable sector, we manage 42 hectares. We produce large crops such as alfalfa, corn, sugar beet, and triticale, which ensure feed for the bovine sector." He further noted, "For vegetables, we produce cabbage, zucchini, kohlrabi, potatoes, leeks, and onions. Annual vegetable production is around 55 tons in total, covering the spring, summer, and autumn periods, with winter supplies sourced externally." The large crop production amounts to approximately 460 tons, also contributing to the bovine sector's feed. The animals on the farm are cared for by inmates working in three shifts, with 17 to 20 individuals working daily. This comprehensive agricultural program not only provides nutritious food but also offers valuable vocational training and a sense of purpose to the incarcerated individuals.
Dincolo de zidurile Penitenciarului Satu Mare, funcționează o adevărată gospodărie agrozootehnică, care asigură hrana zilnică pentru sute de
