Five inmates have built a huge steel Christmas tree in prison.
The festive structure stands at a height of 26ft (8m) and is 9ft (2.8m) wide.
It weighs around 31.5 stone (200kg).
The tree, made of reinforced steel, will be erected in the capital city over the yuletide period.
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It was built by five convicts at the North Prison in Mexico City, Mexico.
It will be erected on the city’s Glorieta de los Insurgentes roundabout on 5 December where it will remain until 7 January 2026.
The tree unites art, redemption and the spirit of Christmas, according to the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) of Mexico City.
It was designed and assembled by four professional blacksmiths and a painter who are inmates in the prison.
Felipe, one of the participants, said: “I feel proud to be able to put my enthusiasm and blacksmithing knowledge into this tree, which will mean a lot to people out there.
“But for us in here, it also has another meaning and reminds us that we can serve society by doing good.”
Arturo, the inmate in charge of painting the tree, said: “ I’m very excited that people can see the work we do in prison workshops, and I hope they receive it with great appreciation.”
The group spent a month building the piece, which consists of six levels, as reported by Need To Know.
A SSC spokesperson said: “With these types of events, the Secretariat of Citizen Security, through the undersecretary of the Penitentiary System, promotes December traditions and seeks to preserve them through culture.
“We highlight the creativity and talent through art and crafts, which helps the social reintegration of people deprived of their liberty in the penitentiary centres of Mexico City.”
They said the tree represents “the value of life, family unity, the desire for freedom, joy, peace, love between people, and the hope for second chances.”
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