Jailhouse Shock: Brazil's FormerPresident Jair Bolsonaro Faces Life in Prison

He battled justice and justice prevailed.

Two months after being handed a quarter-century plus sentence for seeking to “eradicate” Brazil’s democracy, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro now appears headed to prison.

Imminent Jailing

The found-guilty coup-monger – who's been living under residential detention in his residence while a number of legal procedures and challenges unfold – is largely predicted to be incarcerated in the coming days, amid mounting speculation that he will be transferred to a notorious high-security penitentiary.

Previous Statements on Convicts

During Bolsonaro’s 40-year public life, the far-right former paratrooper showed scant compassion for Brazil’s inmates.

“For what reason must we offer those lowlifes a comfortable existence?” he previously wondered. “They should just get screwed, period. That's my opinion.”

On another occasion, Bolsonaro proclaimed: “Unless you desire to end up in prison, all you have to do is not rape, abduction or rob.”

Incarceration Facility Discussion

But the idea of Bolsonaro himself landing in the Papuda top-security prison in Brasília has appalled backers, a group of four this week visited the prison in an apparent attempt to discourage the supreme court from banishing him there.

Senator Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s political party who was among that group, said he anticipated the 70-year-old leader to be incarcerated in the following week and a half and worried his destination could be Papuda.

He asserted Bolsonaro’s acute gut problems – the outcome of a life-threatening assault during the 2018 presidential presidential campaign – signified it would be dangerous to keep the ex-leader there. “His condition is very grave. He cannot to manage if they move him to Papuda … It would be awful,” he added, who also voiced anxiety about cramped cells and the standard of inmate food.

When inspecting Papuda, Lucas noted observing cells accommodating 40 detainees: “That is almost one square metre per detainee.

“We talked to the convicts and they protest, of course, of the horrible food,” continued the senator.

Allies Speak Out

The senator isn't the only voice voicing opinions before the one-time head of state's anticipated imprisonment.

Penning in a leading newspaper, a different supporter, the ex- cabinet member Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “severe” finale to Bolsonaro’s “spotless” time in office and alleged Brazil was about to witness “the greatest political injustice in its history”.

“It represents an unfairness that eats away the spirits of millions people in Brazil,” he stated.

Mixed General Response

It is possibly accurate considering the substantial support Bolsonaro retains on the right-wing. But his expected incarceration has also gladdened the hearts of many others who think he deserves to be imprisoned for conspiring to prevent the elected leader from becoming president – and also scheming to have him murdered.

Reimont Otoni, a congressman for the incumbent leader's political party, said: “No one wishes Bolsonaro to be put in a hole. No one wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in isolation. No one wants Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to lie on concrete. We wish him to obtain dignified care – but respectful care in prison. He can’t persist being his self-appointed guard for his whole life.”

The congressman noted how Bolsonaro allies, who have spent years applauding the harsh conditions of prisoners, had abruptly woken up to their rights. “Only now has the far-right – which has repeatedly claimed that civil liberties are not for lawbreakers – opted to tour a penitentiary to learn what circumstances are truly like,” he remarked.

“He is a lawbreaker,” the congressman maintained, but that did not mean he earned “humiliating, demeaning treatment”.

Likely Prison Environment

In spite of rumors that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which now holds about fourteen thousand prisoners, his probable assigned facility looks to be a adjacent penitentiary for law enforcement and other “unique” prisoners referred to as Papudinha (Little Papuda).

His potential cell are far more comfortable than those in the primary facility, although nevertheless a world away from the luxury Bolsonaro had while residing in the impressive presidential palace, about a short distance away.

Based on information, the cell Bolsonaro could likely reside in in Papudinha measures about 24 square meters – roughly the area of a couple of car spots – and features a 12 square meter WC with a bathing area and a 130 square foot terrace. “The ex-president might be permitted to have a set and also a small fridge in his room as long as they were supplied by his loved ones,” information stated.

Partisan Reactions

Senator Lucas condemned the rumoured plan to send the one-time head of state to Papuda as “a type of retaliation” on the part of the judicial authority who presided over Bolsonaro’s coup trial and will decide his fate in the {

Matthew Clark
Matthew Clark

A seasoned casino enthusiast and gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online slots and gambling strategies.