|
Penal Institutions in Brazil
The two general categories of penal institutions are correctional
and detention. The first category includes penitentiaries, houses
of custody and treatment, penal and agricultural colonies, and houses
of correction. Of Brazil's approximately 5,000 penal institutions,
fifty-one are correctional institutions, including twenty-seven
penitentiaries, six houses of custody and treatment, twelve agricultural
colonies, and six houses of correction. The second category includes
military prisons, houses of detention, and juvenile correctional
institutions.
The Federal Prison Department (Departamento Penitenciário
Nacional--Depen) is responsible for operating the penal system.
Depen is subordinate to the National Council of Criminal and Prison
Policy (Conselho Nacional de Política Criminal e Penitenciária--CNPCP),
which is under the Ministry of Justice. Places of detention include
twelve military prisons, 1,580 prisons, 2,803 jails, and five institutions
for minors. The separate women's penal institutions are usually
operated by nuns. Prisoners in penitentiaries are assigned to work
units in maintenance shops and in light industrial plants that produce
and maintain the
clothing and furnishings used in the institutions. In some minimum
security agricultural colonies, inmates have their families live
with them during their incarceration.
Prison conditions generally range from poor to harsh, and include
overcrowding, a lack of hygiene, poor nutrition, and even instances
of torture. In 1995 Brazil's overcrowded prisons held 129,169 inmates
in space designed for 59,954. That compares with 23,385 inmates
in 1965, nearly a sixfold increase. Often there are six to eight
prisoners in a cell meant for three. The Ministry of Justice reported
that thirty-three prison rebellions occurred in 1994, while attempted
or successful escapes averaged almost nine per day.
Internal security in Brazil is primarily the responsibility of
state governments. The Federal Police play only a minor role and
are limited by their small force. The largest and most important
State
Police force is the Military Police, whose members are uniformed
and responsible for maintaining order. They also serve as army reserves.
The Civil Police constitute a much smaller force, and are responsible
for investigations.
Data as of April 1997
|
|
