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

He contested justice and justice prevailed.

Sixty days subsequent to getting a twenty-seven-year sentence for attempting to “destroy” the nation's democracy, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro finally appears headed to prison.

Expected Imprisonment

The adjudicated instigator – who had been living under home confinement in his mansion while a set of judicial steps and appeals play out – is largely predicted to be jailed in the near future, amidst increasing rumors that he will be transferred to a infamous high-security prison.

Past Remarks on Inmates

During Bolsonaro’s long political career, the far-right former military man exhibited little mercy for the country's inmates.

“What’s the need to offer those lowlifes a good life?” he previously wondered. “They deserve to be messed, period. That's my view.”

On another occasion, Bolsonaro stated: “Should you not wish to end up in prison, all you have to do is to avoid sexual assault, abduction or rob.”

Jail Location Discussion

However the possibility of Bolsonaro himself landing in the Papuda prison top-security prison in Brasília has horrified supporters, a group of four this week toured the prison in an seeming attempt to prevent the judiciary from sending him there.

Izalci Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s allied group who was among that group, claimed he predicted the septuagenarian figure to be incarcerated in the coming fortnight and was concerned his location could be Papuda.

The senator argued Bolsonaro’s acute intestinal ailments – the outcome of a near-fatal knife attack during the 2018 election race – implied it would be risky to keep the ex-leader there. “His health is extremely serious. He will not be able to cope if they send him to Papuda … It will be terrible,” said the senator, who also expressed concern about overcrowded cells and the standard of inmate food.

During his tour Papuda, Lucas noted observing cells containing forty detainees: “That’s almost one meter squared per prisoner.

“We conversed to the inmates and they complain, of course, of the awful cuisine,” added the senator.

Allies Voice Concerns

The senator isn't the sole person speaking out before the ex-leader's predicted imprisonment.

Authoring in a prominent newspaper, one more backer, the former communications minister Fábio Wajngarten, lamented the “brutal” end to Bolsonaro’s “flawless” public service and claimed Brazil was about to see “the biggest political injustice in its record”.

“It represents an wrong that eats away the spirits of many Brazilian citizens,” Wajngarten wrote.

Divided Popular Reaction

That may be correct due to the considerable backing Bolsonaro maintains on the right-wing. Yet his anticipated jailing has also pleased the hearts of numerous others who feel he deserves to be imprisoned for plotting to prevent the elected leader from becoming president – and additionally scheming to have him assassinated.

The lawmaker, a representative for the current leader's allied group, said: “No one wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in a dark cell. Nobody wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in solitary confinement. No one desires Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to lie on concrete. We desire him to get respectful handling – but respectful care while incarcerated. He can’t persist being his self-appointed guard for his lifetime.”

He observed how Bolsonaro backers, who have spent years applauding the tough treatment of prisoners, had unexpectedly woken up to their entitlements. “Recently has the far-right – which has repeatedly argued that human rights should not be for offenders – decided to tour a penitentiary to learn what situations are really like,” he said.

“He is a offender,” he affirmed, but that did not mean he earned “humiliating, insulting handling”.

Likely Prison Environment

Despite rumors that Bolsonaro could be sent to Papuda, which now houses about 14,000 detainees, his probable destination appears to be a adjacent jail for police officers and other “special” prisoners known as Papudinha (Minor Papuda).

Its cells are much more adequate than those in the larger jail, although still a far cry from the comfort Bolsonaro had while residing in the impressive leader's home, about 20 kilometers away.

According to reports, the accommodation Bolsonaro could expect to occupy in Papudinha has about 24 square meters – approximately the size of a couple of car spots – and features a 130 square foot restroom with a water facility and a 12 sq metre terrace. “He could be allowed to have a set and additionally a cooler in his room as long as they were supplied by his family,” the report indicated.

Ideological Reactions

The lawmaker criticized the speculated idea to send the ex-president to Papuda as “an act of payback” on the part of the presiding magistrate who oversaw Bolsonaro’s proceedings and will rule on his future in the {

Katie Peters
Katie Peters

A passionate casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in online gaming and slot analysis.