Brazil prison riots

More prison riots have broken out in Brazil as 368 prisoners take 170 hostages, complaining against bad treatment and lack of minimum living conditions in their cells. After riots earlier this year, first in the State of Sao Paulo and later in 29 other prisons, the problem of overcrowding again appears, this time in Carumbe prison, which was built for 200 prisoners but currently houses 368. The group First Command of the Capital (PCC), a criminal group which controls the drugs trade inside prisons in the State of Sao Paulo, was again behind this revolt. Allied to the demands for better living conditions and harsh treatment by prison staff under the new Prison Director, is the fact that this revolt comes two days after a mass escape attempt was foiled by police. A long tunnel was being built under the command of the PCC leader “JC” (Jose Carlos), whose reaction was to instigate the revolt. The prisoners have already released two groups of hostages, numbering 22 women and seven children in total. The police are standing off and waiting for a pacific solution, similar to what happened in January, when the prisoners were talked into giving themselves up.

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY, PRAVDA.RU, LISBON