Jailhouse Surprise: Brazil's FormerPresident Bolsonaro Faces Time in Prison
He fought the law and the law prevailed.
A couple of months subsequent to getting a twenty-seven-year sentence for attempting to “eradicate” the nation's political system, former president Jair Bolsonaro now looks destined for incarceration.
Anticipated Jailing
The found-guilty plotter – who has been under residential detention in his estate while a series of court processes and petitions unfold – is largely predicted to be jailed in the next few days, during mounting talk that he will be transferred to a notorious top-security prison.
Past Statements on Convicts
Throughout Bolsonaro’s 40-year political career, the conservative ex- paratrooper exhibited little mercy for the country's jailed individuals.
“What’s the need to provide those lowlifes a easy time?” he previously wondered. “They ought to simply be fucked, period. That's my view.”
On another occasion, Bolsonaro proclaimed: “Should you not wish to wind up behind bars, the only thing required is not sexual assault, kidnap or theft.”
Prison Destination Discussion
But the prospect of Bolsonaro himself ending up in the Papuda prison maximum security prison in Brasília has appalled supporters, several of whom this week visited the facility in an apparent bid to discourage the high court from transferring him there.
Izalci Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s political party who was among that group, said he expected the elderly leader to be imprisoned in the coming fortnight and was concerned his assigned prison could be Papuda.
The senator argued Bolsonaro’s serious digestive issues – the consequence of a near-fatal knife attack during the last political campaign – meant it would be hazardous to keep the one-time head of state there. “His [health] situation is extremely serious. He won’t be able to manage if they move him to Papuda … It could be dreadful,” he commented, who also worried about cramped cells and the condition of jail cuisine.
During his tour Papuda, Lucas noted witnessing cells containing four dozen detainees: “That’s practically one square metre per prisoner.
“We talked to the prisoners and they protest, naturally, of the awful meals,” remarked the senator.
Supporters Speak Out
Lucas is not the sole person expressing views ahead of the former president’s expected detention.
Authoring in a prominent publication, another ally, the former government official Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “severe” conclusion to Bolsonaro’s “flawless” political career and alleged Brazil was about to see “the greatest wrong in its past”.
“It is an unfairness that erodes the spirits of countless Brazilian citizens,” he stated.
Divided Popular Reaction
This could be correct given the substantial support Bolsonaro retains on the conservative side. Yet his anticipated jailing has also gladdened the spirits of many others who believe he deserves to be incarcerated for plotting to prevent the incoming president from becoming president – and even plotting to have him assassinated.
The lawmaker, a representative for the sitting leader's political party, commented: “Nobody desires Bolsonaro to be placed in a dungeon. No one wishes Bolsonaro to be placed in segregation. Not a soul wants Bolsonaro to go hungry or for him to have to lie on concrete. We desire him to obtain respectful treatment – but proper care behind bars. He can’t persist being his self-appointed guard for his lifetime.”
Otoni was struck by how Bolsonaro allies, who have long praising the harsh conditions of prisoners, had suddenly realized to their rights. “Recently has the far-right – which has repeatedly claimed that human rights are not for lawbreakers – chosen to tour a jail to learn what situations are actually like,” he stated.
“Bolsonaro is a offender,” he affirmed, but that did not mean he merited “shameful, demeaning treatment”.
Potential Prison Conditions
Regardless of rumors that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which currently houses about thousands of detainees, his more likely location appears to be a nearby penitentiary for police officers and other “particular” prisoners called Papudinha (Small Papuda).
Its cells are much more pleasant than those in the larger jail, although nonetheless a world away from the comfort Bolsonaro had while residing in the spectacular presidential palace, about 20 kilometers away.
As per sources, the accommodation Bolsonaro could expect to reside in in Papudinha is about 260 square feet – roughly the dimensions of two parking spaces – and contains a 130 square foot WC with a water facility and a 12 sq metre veranda. “The ex-president might be allowed to have a set and additionally a small fridge in his quarters as long as they were provided by his loved ones,” sources stated.
Political Comments
He condemned the speculated plan to send the one-time head of state to Papuda as “an act of payback” on the part of the supreme court judge who presided over Bolsonaro’s coup trial and will determine his fate in the {