Jailhouse Surprise: Brazil's FormerPresident Jair Bolsonaro Faces Time in Prison
He fought justice and the legal system won.
Two months subsequent to being handed a quarter-century plus sentence for seeking to “annihilate” Brazil’s democracy, former president Jair Bolsonaro at last seems headed to prison.
Imminent Incarceration
The found-guilty plotter – who's been under home confinement in his residence while a number of court processes and challenges play out – is largely predicted to be imprisoned in the near future, amidst mounting rumors that he will be moved to a well-known high-security penitentiary.
Previous Statements on Prisoners
During Bolsonaro’s four-decade political career, the far-right former soldier exhibited scant mercy for the country's jailed individuals.
“For what reason must we provide these scoundrels a good life?” he previously wondered. “They ought to simply be screwed, full-fucking-stop. That's my opinion.”
On another occasion, Bolsonaro declared: “If you don’t want to end up there, all you have to do is to avoid rape, kidnap or rob.”
Jail Facility Speculation
But the idea of Bolsonaro himself winding up in the Papuda prison high-security prison in Brasília has shocked allies, a group of four this week toured the facility in an seeming effort to dissuade the judiciary from transferring him there.
Senator Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s allied group who was among that group, claimed he expected the septuagenarian leader to be incarcerated in the next 10 days and feared his location could be Papuda.
The senator argued Bolsonaro’s acute digestive problems – the outcome of a life-threatening knife attack during the 2018 presidential presidential campaign – implied it would be dangerous to keep the one-time head of state there. “His condition is very grave. He won’t be able to manage if they move him to Papuda … It could be terrible,” he commented, who also voiced anxiety about cramped cells and the quality of inmate food.
While visiting Papuda, Lucas recalled witnessing cells containing four dozen prisoners: “That’s virtually one square meter per detainee.
“We spoke to the inmates and they complain, unsurprisingly, of the horrible cuisine,” added the senator.
Supporters React
He is not the sole person voicing opinions ahead of the ex-leader's anticipated detention.
Penning in a leading publication, another ally, the former communications minister Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “severe” end to Bolsonaro’s “flawless” time in office and asserted Brazil was about to see “the greatest wrong in its record”.
“It represents an injustice that eats away the souls of countless people in Brazil,” the former minister said.
Mixed Popular Opinion
It is possibly true given the substantial backing Bolsonaro maintains on the conservative side. But his anticipated imprisonment has also pleased the hearts of numerous individuals who feel he ought to be jailed for planning to stop the incoming president from assuming office – and even plotting to have him assassinated.
Congressman Otoni, a politician for the incumbent leader's Workers’ party, said: “Not a soul wants Bolsonaro to be sent in a hole. No one wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in isolation. Nobody wishes Bolsonaro to lack food or for him to have to lie on concrete. We wish him to get proper treatment – but respectful care in prison. He cannot carry on being his personal jailer for his lifetime.”
He observed how Bolsonaro allies, who have for a long time applauding the tough handling of prisoners, had suddenly woken up to their privileges. “Just now has the extreme right – which has consistently asserted that basic rights should not be for lawbreakers – chosen to visit a jail to learn what circumstances are actually like,” he remarked.
“He is a offender,” the congressman maintained, but that did not mean he merited “shameful, insulting handling”.
Potential Jail Environment
Despite talk that Bolsonaro could be moved to Papuda, which currently houses about 14,000 detainees, his expected location seems to be a nearby jail for law enforcement and other “special” inmates called Papudinha (Minor Papuda).
The accommodations are much more pleasant than those in the larger jail, although nonetheless a distant from the comfort Bolsonaro experienced while occupying the stunning official residence, about a short distance away.
According to reports, the room Bolsonaro could anticipate inhabit in Papudinha is about 24 square meters – approximately the size of vehicle spaces – and includes a 130 square foot WC with a water facility and a 130 square foot terrace. “The ex-president might be permitted to have a television and additionally a minibar in his cell as long as they were provided by his loved ones,” sources indicated.
Political Reactions
The lawmaker criticized the talked-about plan to send the former leader to Papuda as “a type of payback” on the part of the supreme court judge who oversaw Bolsonaro’s proceedings and will decide his future in the {