Brazilian security forces quell prison riots

Brazilian security forces quell prison riots
REUTERS

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL, FEB 20: Brazil put down its biggest-ever prison uprising on Monday after more than 20,000 inmates in 27 jails in the state of Sao Paulo staged riots that killed at least 16 people.

While prison uprisings are common across Brazil, the coordination exhibited in the latest rebellion was unprecedented.

Human rights groups have blamed riots on over-crowding, poor conditions and abuses like torture. According to government figures, in the 1995 census Brazil’s prisons housed 148,760 inmates but were 72,000 beds short.

Following is a list of major riots, human rights reports and other events related to Brazil’s prison s:

Dec. 2000-Nine prisoners were killed during a 30-hour riot in Taubate maximum security prison in Sao Paulo. At least 23 hostages were held during the stand off. Three of the dead were decapitated.

Dec. 2000-A closely watched court case of a 1992 massacre of 111 prisoners at Carandiru was suspended after a juror fell ill. Police Col. Ubiratan Guimaraes is accused of ordering the massacre. A conviction would mark a landmark in the fight against impunity for officials accused of brutality. He would face at least 50 years in prison.

Sept. 2000-A report by Congress’ human rights Commission described Brazil’s prison system as a “reinvention of hell,” with inmates living in filthy, overcrowded cells. It said torture was not uncommon.

Sept. 2000-The U.N. envoy on torture, Nigel Rodley, concluded after a study of Brazilian jails that abuse of prisoners was widespread. “What we came up with is a very small tip of the iceberg, and yes, it was worse than I expected,” he said.Aug. 2000-Eleven inmates were killed at a maximum security prison in Brasilia, in a riot apparently sparked by a revenge killing.

March 2000-A prison riot at a jail in central Mato Grosso state left 13 people dead after rival gangs allegedly fought over drug trade control.

Oct. 1999-Four boys died in riots at a notoriously violent youth detention center in Sao Paulo. One of the victims was beheaded as hundreds rioted in an uprising that brought world attention to the conditions at Brazil’s juvenile detention centers.

June 1999-Human rights group Amnesty International issued a report on Brazil’s prison system, calling it “one of the very worst in the Americas.” It said Brazilian prisoners were subjected to electric shocks and near-drowning as well as severe overcrowdin.

Feb. 1999-Thirteen inmates were killed in a rebellion at Piraju prison in Sao Paulo state.

Dec 1997-Eight prison riots erupted during the Christmas season, including one in which 450 visitors and prison officials were taken hostage. At least 10 inmates were killed in the riots.