Jailhouse Surprise: Brazil's FormerPresident Bolsonaro Confronts Life Behind Bars

He contested the legal system and the legal system prevailed.

Two months following receiving a 27-year sentence for attempting to “eradicate” Brazil’s democratic institutions, one-time leader Jair Bolsonaro finally seems jail-bound.

Anticipated Imprisonment

The adjudicated coup-monger – who had been living under house arrest in his residence while a set of judicial steps and petitions unfold – is broadly anticipated to be jailed in the near future, amidst growing rumors that he will be sent to a infamous top-security facility.

Past Statements on Prisoners

Over Bolsonaro’s 40-year political career, the right-wing ex- paratrooper showed scant compassion for Brazil’s inmates.

“For what reason must we offer those scoundrels a good life?” he once pondered. “They should just get fucked, end of story. That's my view.”

On another occasion, Bolsonaro stated: “If you don’t want to end up in prison, the only thing required is to avoid sexual assault, kidnap or rob.”

Jail Facility Debate

But the idea of Bolsonaro himself ending up in the Papuda top-security prison in Brasília has shocked supporters, four of whom this week toured the prison in an obvious bid to dissuade the high court from sending him there.

Izalci Lucas, a senator from Bolsonaro’s political party who was one of the visitors, claimed he anticipated the septuagenarian leader to be incarcerated in the coming fortnight and feared his assigned prison could be Papuda.

He asserted Bolsonaro’s acute intestinal issues – the consequence of a life-threatening knife attack during the 2018 election race – implied it would be risky to keep the one-time head of state there. “His [health] situation is highly critical. He cannot to manage if they send him to Papuda … It will be dreadful,” said the senator, who also voiced anxiety about cramped cells and the condition of inmate food.

While visiting Papuda, Lucas recalled witnessing cells accommodating four dozen detainees: “That is virtually one square metre per inmate.

“We talked to the inmates and they grumble, of course, of the horrible food,” remarked the senator.

Allies Speak Out

He is not the sole person voicing opinions prior to the former president’s predicted incarceration.

Writing in a leading newspaper, another ally, the former government official Fábio Wajngarten, lamented the “harsh” conclusion to Bolsonaro’s “impeccable” public service and asserted Brazil was about to experience “the biggest unfairness in its history”.

“This is an unfairness that erodes the souls of many people in Brazil,” the former minister said.

Varied General Opinion

This could be true considering the substantial following Bolsonaro retains on the right-wing. But his anticipated jailing has also pleased the feelings of millions others who feel he should be imprisoned for planning to prevent the incoming president from assuming office – and even conspiring to have him murdered.

Congressman Otoni, a politician for the current leader's political party, stated: “No one wishes Bolsonaro to be placed in a hole. Not a soul wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in isolation. Not a soul desires Bolsonaro to lack food or for him to have to sleep on the floor. We desire him to get respectful care – but proper care while incarcerated. He cannot continue being his personal jailer for his lifetime.”

The congressman noted how Bolsonaro supporters, who have spent years praising the severe handling of convicts, had suddenly become aware to their privileges. “Just now has the conservative fringe – which has consistently argued that human rights should not be for offenders – decided to tour a penitentiary to find out what conditions are actually like,” he stated.

“He is a criminal,” he affirmed, but that did not mean he merited “degrading, demeaning handling”.

Potential Incarceration Facilities

In spite of rumors that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which now houses about fourteen thousand inmates, his expected location seems to be a nearby penitentiary for law enforcement and other “unique” prisoners known as Papudinha (Minor Papuda).

Its cells are considerably more pleasant than those in the main prison, although nevertheless a far cry from the comfort Bolsonaro enjoyed while occupying the impressive official residence, around 20 kilometers away.

According to sources, the room Bolsonaro could anticipate reside in in Papudinha is about 24 square meters – approximately the dimensions of two parking spaces – and features a 12 sq metre restroom with a bathing area and a 130 square foot terrace. “He could be permitted to have a TV and even a small fridge in his quarters as long as they were supplied by his loved ones,” information stated.

Political Responses

He criticized the talked-about proposal to send the former leader to Papuda as “a form of retaliation” on the part of the presiding magistrate who led Bolsonaro’s proceedings and will decide his outcome in the {

Michelle Cantrell
Michelle Cantrell

A passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience covering industry trends and game development.