Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

February 18, 2017

Brazil court rules to compensate prisoner for overcrowding

News

Overcrowding Brazil

The case could open up a wave of other claims, which some judges argue could financially cripple the state.

February 16, 2017

New Brazilian prison riots leave 26 dead

News

Protest Brazil

Twenty-six inmates were killed in eruptions of violence inside two prisons in northern Brazil, officials said Sunday as they quelled the latest in a string of jail disturbances across the country in which more than 100 people died within two weeks.

February 3, 2017

Life at Brazilian prison where 'the state has lost control'

News

Brazil

For nearly two years, guards didn’t dare enter the cell blocks at the Alcacuz prison in northeastern Brazil. And with good reason. Only about a dozen at a time are supposed to watch some 1,500 inmates, whose gangs are supplied through tunnels that let them bring in guns, knives, cellphones and just…

February 1, 2017

Chaos pénitentiaire au Brésil

News

South America Drugs Brazil

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 31, 2017

Brasil: Así es la vida de los poderosos presos de "Lava Jato" en cárceles de Brasil

News

Brazil

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the Spanish version

January 31, 2017

Who is really in control of Brazil’s prisons?

News

Brazil

Prisoners in Brazil have outnumbered prison staff by the hundreds. The legitimacy of the Brazilian prison system has come in for deep scrutiny following a series of violent encounters between rival gangs in the north of the country.

January 21, 2017

Au Brésil, la guerre sanglante des gangs fait exploser les prisons

News

South America Violence Brazil

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 21, 2017

Crisis carcelaria en Brasil: policía entra a prisión para reprimir pandillas

News

Violence Brazil

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the Spanish version.

January 16, 2017

Inmates beheaded in new Brazil prison riot

News

South America Protest Violence Brazil

Twenty-seven inmates were killed in a Brazilian prison riot that broke out on Saturday, adding to chaos in a penitentiary system in which some 140 inmates have died in gang warfare since the start of the year. Members of a drug gang started the clash by invading a pavilion in the Alcaçuz prison tha…

January 11, 2017

Brazil prison head removed as country grapples with inmate violence

News

Violence Brazil

The head of the Brazilian jail where 56 inmates were killed during a riot on New Year’s Day has been removed from office, state-run media agency Agencia Brasil reported. Jose Carvalho da Silva, the interim director of the Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex, was removed Tuesday after corruption alleg…

January 9, 2017

New Brazil prison clash kills four in Amazon region

News

South America Violence Brazil

Behind the prison bloodshed is an escalating feud between Brazil’s biggest drug gangs with about 100 killed in a week.

January 8, 2017

Brazil: at least four dead in third prison riot in a week

News

Protest Brazil

Back in October, Manaus Public Jail was deactivated for being “cesspool of human rights violations”

January 7, 2017

"Au Brésil, les prisons surpeuplées sont une aubaine pour le crime organisé"

News

South America Overcrowding Violence Brazil

This article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 6, 2017

Brésil : 19 ans dans les geôles brésiliennes pour rien

News

South America Brazil

Sorry, this article is not available in English. You can consult the French version.

January 6, 2017

At least 33 inmates killed in new Brazil prison riot

News

South America Brazil

At least 33 inmates were killed in a prison riot in Brazil on Friday, officials said, possibly in retaliation after members of a powerful drug gang were targeted in the worst prison massacre in decades that left 56 people dead earlier this week.

January 6, 2017

Brésil : le massacre dans la prison de Manaus, une "tragédie annoncée"

News

South America Brazil

Sorry, this article is not available in English. You can consult the French version.

January 3, 2017

Gang Fight in Brazil Prison Leaves Scores Dead

News

South America Violence Brazil

bout 60 inmates were killed in a prison riot sparked by a fight between rival drug gangs in the Brazilian city of Manaus, local authorities said. The uprising began Sunday afternoon at the Anísio Jobim prison complex and lasted more than 17 hours. Two prison-based gangs have been battling over cont…

January 2, 2017

Brésil : plus de 50 morts lors d'une mutinerie dans une prison

News

South America Protest Violence Brazil

Sorry, this article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

January 2, 2017

Brazil prison riot kills at least 56 in Amazonas state

News

Protest Brazil

A riot in an overcrowded prison in northern Brazil has left at least 56 inmates dead, many of them decapitated, officials say.

November 24, 2016

Brazil: report of the Subcommittee on prevention of torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

News

Torture Brazil

Visit to Brazil undertaken from 19 to 30 October: observations and recommendations addressed to the State party.

October 18, 2016

Brazil : mass breakout from Sao Paulo psychiatric prison

News

South America Violence Brazil

A third prison riot since Sunday night in Brazil has led to a mass escape of inmates. Fifty-five prisoners in Sao Paulo’s Franco da Rocha psychiatric ward escaped after starting a fire which burned down a wing of the prison. Despite a huge manhunt in the city’s suburb involving helicopters police w…

October 17, 2016

Brésil : affrontements dans une prison, au moins 25 morts

News

South America Violence Brazil

Sorry, this article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the French version.

October 17, 2016

Brazil prison clashes 'kill 25 inmates'

News

South America Violence Brazil

At least 25 inmates have been killed in clashes between two rival factions in an overcrowded prison in northern Brazil, local media report. Seven of the dead were beheaded and six others burned to death, a police official reportedly said. The incident in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima state, hap…

October 15, 2016

Indignación en Brasil : menor fue enviada a una prisión masculina y violada por 26 días

News

Violence Brazil

Sorry, this article is not available in English. If you wish, you can consult the Spanish version.