Young Offenders Institutions in São Paulo Suffering Worst Wave of Escapes in a Decade

10/15/2015 - 09h51

Fundação Casa, a network of young offenders' institutions in the state of São Paulo, is suffering its worst series of escapes since 2005, when it was known as Febem.

From the start of the year until this Wednesday (14), 487 young people managed to escape from Fundação Casa institutions across the state, with 212 escaping in the last two months alone. 106 of the 487 were recaptured or returned voluntarily.

In 2005, during a major crisis that resulted in the dismissal of hundreds of employees, 775 young people managed to escape.

Post 2005, fewer escapes were registered every year than the total so far in 2015. The administration of governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) says it is "committed to resolving these problems."

In the most recent mass escapes, trucks were used to break down gates and boats used to escape by sea.

In Santos, on the São Paulo coast, 42 young people, of a total of 64, escaped after they overpowered employees at the Fundação on Monday (12) night. According to the Military Police, some of the young people used fishing boats that were moored in a channel to escape.

The Judicial Administrative Department is investigating the hypothesis that the current wave of escapes is being facilitated by disgruntled employees. The investigations are taking place in secret.

João Faustino, director of Sitraemfa, the union that represents Fundação Casa employees, admits that there is discontent with the Alckmin administration, which went to court in order to deny benefits promised during a strike midway through this year.

However, he denies that there is any "lack of effort" on the part of employees.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Marcio Ribeiro - 9.out.2015/ Brazil Photo Press/Folhapress
	In the most recent mass escapes, trucks were used to break down gates and boats used to escape by sea