Judge Orders Prison Evacuation to "Avoid Another Tragedy"

01/09/2017 - 14h14

Confirming the risk of "another tragedy in the penitentiary system," a criminal law enforcement judge in Boa Vista (RR) ruled in favor of the evacuation of an entire prison, one that provides overnight shelter for nearly 160 half time inmates.

He accepted a request from the leadership of the state CPP (Center for Penitentiary Progression).

After the decision, the prisoners moved to a type of night time before, they could work during the day, but were expected to sleep in the CPP.

Now they must stay in their homes beginning at 8 pm, they may not change addresses or carry "weapons or instruments that could be used as weapons" nor frequent bars, among other measures.

Judge Marcelo Lima de Oliveira said the measure was enacted "on an emergency basis," valid until Friday (13), and should be reevaluated after discussions with the state government.

"It was a very drastic measure, but it was necessary. There were reports that the prison would be the next stage for violence. It was executed before another tragedy could take place," the judge said.

The request to evacuate the prison came from the director of the site, Wlisses Freitas da Silva, with support from the Brazilian Bar Association.

Silva said that on the 6th, after the murder of 33 inmates at another prison, the Pamc (Agricultural Penitentiary of Monte Cristo), family and detainees in the CPP, some of whom were former police, "were all terrified" and said that the site "would be the target of the next tragedy."

Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ

Read the article in the original language