Dance classes give hope to Portuguese prisoners

Inmates attending a contemporary dance class of the project 'Corpo em Cadeia' ('Body in Chain') at Linho prison in Alcabideche, near Cascais. Photos: Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP

Inside a high-security Portuguese prison, six inmates are moving gracefully around in a series of improvised dance moves, clutching props and following the rhythm of the music.

Outside, the high walls of Linho prison in the western suburbs of Lisbon are lined with barbed wire and a loudspeaker barks instructions for prisoners in a metallic voice.