Prison Surprise: Brazil's Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Faces Time in Prison

He battled the legal system and justice won.

Sixty days following receiving a quarter-century plus sentence for seeking to “annihilate” Brazil’s democracy, former president Jair Bolsonaro at last looks jail-bound.

Imminent Incarceration

The found-guilty coup-monger – who has been under house arrest in his residence while a series of legal procedures and petitions play out – is largely predicted to be imprisoned in the next few days, during growing talk that he will be transferred to a infamous maximum security prison.

Historical Statements on Prisoners

Throughout Bolsonaro’s long time in politics, the conservative former military man displayed scant mercy for the country's jailed individuals.

“For what reason must we provide these dirtbags a easy time?” he once mused. “They ought to simply be messed, end of story. That's my view.”

In another instance, Bolsonaro proclaimed: “Should you not wish to finish behind bars, you simply need is to avoid sexual assault, abduction or rob.”

Prison Location Speculation

But the idea of Bolsonaro himself ending up in the Papuda top-security prison in Brasília has appalled backers, four of whom this week toured the complex in an obvious effort to dissuade the supreme court from sending him there.

Izalci Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s Liberal party who was part of that quartet, claimed he predicted the 70-year-old politician to be jailed in the next 10 days and was concerned his destination could be Papuda.

He asserted Bolsonaro’s acute digestive issues – the result of a near-fatal stabbing during the 2018 political campaign – signified it would be hazardous to keep the ex-leader there. “His condition is very grave. He won’t be able to cope if they take him to Papuda … It would be dreadful,” he commented, who also expressed concern about packed cells and the condition of prison meals.

While visiting Papuda, Lucas noted observing cells accommodating 40 detainees: “That is almost one square metre per detainee.

“We spoke to the prisoners and they complain, naturally, of the awful meals,” added the senator.

Allies React

Lucas is not the sole person voicing opinions prior to the former president’s expected imprisonment.

Writing in a major daily, another ally, the ex- government official Fábio Wajngarten, bemoaned the “harsh” conclusion to Bolsonaro’s “impeccable” public service and claimed Brazil was about to witness “the largest wrong in its record”.

“It represents an unfairness that gnaws the souls of millions Brazilian citizens,” Wajngarten wrote.

Divided General Reaction

This could be correct given the significant backing Bolsonaro maintains on the right-wing. Yet his expected incarceration has also pleased the spirits of millions others who believe he ought to be jailed for plotting to prevent his successor from becoming president – and additionally scheming to have him killed.

Reimont Otoni, a politician for the current administration's allied group, stated: “Nobody wishes Bolsonaro to be placed in a dungeon. Nobody wants Bolsonaro to be sent in solitary confinement. Nobody wants Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to lie on concrete. We want him to receive respectful handling – but respectful care while incarcerated. He must not persist being his self-appointed guard for his entire life.”

The congressman noted how Bolsonaro supporters, who have for a long time applauding the tough conditions of prisoners, had abruptly realized to their rights. “Only now has the far-right – which has repeatedly claimed that human rights are not for offenders – decided to visit a penitentiary to learn what circumstances are actually like,” he stated.

“Bolsonaro is a criminal,” Otoni insisted, but that did not mean he earned “humiliating, insulting conduct”.

Potential Prison Environment

Despite rumors that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which currently contains about 14,000 inmates, his more likely assigned facility seems to be a close penitentiary for law enforcement and other “particular” detainees known as Papudinha (Minor Papuda).

His potential cell are much more pleasant than those in the main prison, although nonetheless a world away from the opulence Bolsonaro enjoyed while living in the impressive presidential palace, approximately 12 miles away.

As per sources, the accommodation Bolsonaro could anticipate occupy in Papudinha has about 24 sq metres – about the dimensions of vehicle spaces – and features a 12 sq metre WC with a water facility and a 130 square foot veranda. “He could be permitted to have a television and additionally a small fridge in his quarters as long as they were supplied by his family,” sources stated.

Political Reactions

Senator Lucas criticized the speculated idea to send the one-time head of state to Papuda as “an act of retaliation” on the part of the judicial authority who presided over Bolsonaro’s legal case and will determine his outcome in the {

Juan Santiago
Juan Santiago

A seasoned project manager and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in optimizing team collaboration and efficiency.