How to reintegrate prisoners into society? The French have hit upon a novel scheme: putting their convicts behind handlebars. This week, 23 inmates started a Tour de France. A total of 196 inmates will take part in a circuit of the country, joining in from one of the 17 prisons en route. Daniel, a 48-year-old prisoner, told reporters: “It’s a kind of escape for us.”

The riders are not supposed to race against one another, but to learn teamwork. There will be no winners or losers and no yellow jerseys (except, one assumes, for good behaviour). Breakaway sprints are, of course, banned. Nevertheless, one must fear that this plan will turn a group of well-meaning prisoners into a well-honed gang, trained in the art of the long-distance getaway.