President Lula reinforced the need for coordination between the federal government and the states to combat organized crime in Brazil. He plans to call a meeting of the Ministry of Justice with former governors to discuss public safety. At the same time, the committee coordinated by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and the Ministry of Justice proposed a new classification of prisoners, with an assessment of the needs and risks of each individual, aiming to direct them to prison units that are more suited to their profile, thus improving the Brazilian prison system.
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Combating Organized Crime
President Lula (PT) once again defended the development of a proposal with the states to combat organized crime in the country. According to Lula, a meeting of the Ministry of Justice will be called with ministers who have governed states to evaluate the issue of public safety.
Meeting with Governors
In an interview, Lula explained that the initial proposal is to bring together the 27 state governors to align ways to combat crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and mining in indigenous lands.
Security PEC
Before that, the president had already announced that he would discuss the “Public Security PEC”, the government’s commitment to combating crime, with the 27 governors. The initiative changes the Constitution to increase the prerogative of the Federal Police and Federal Highway Police in the fight against militias, the illegal gambling mafia, and drug trafficking gangs. The PEC is viewed with concern by governors and members of parliament and is under analysis by Lula.
Improvements to the Prison System
At the same time, the committee focused on improvements to the Brazilian prison system, coordinated by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and the Ministry of Justice, and recommended the implementation of a process for classifying prisoners, assessing the personality, needs, and specific risks of each individual. The goal is to identify characteristics upon admission, allowing for referral to the prison unit that best fits their profile.
No Infrastructure
Currently, pre-trial detainees are sent to Provisional Detention Centers, while convicted prisoners are sent to medium-security units, which often lack adequate infrastructure for education, health, and professional training.
By individualizing sentences and understanding the degree of risk and skills of each prisoner, it is possible to direct them to places that offer job opportunities — in shoe factories or agricultural colonies, for example.
Nationwide
Considered innovative by the secretary, the intention is for the entire country to adopt the strategy. Rio Grande do Norte, Espírito Santo, and Maranhão already work in this way.
Overcrowding
The main problem currently is the need to address prison overcrowding. In addition to creating more places, this requires other policies, such as strengthening alternative penal options and reinforcing custody hearings. The excess of pre-trial detention is also a problem for overcrowding.
Analysis:
President Lula’s recent efforts to combat organized crime and improve the prison system highlight a strategic shift in Brazil’s public safety approach. By fostering coordination between the federal government and states, Lula aims to tackle complex issues such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling more effectively. The proposed “Public Security PEC,” which seeks to enhance the Federal Police’s role, underscores this commitment but has raised concerns among state governors and parliamentarians.
Simultaneously, the initiative to classify prisoners based on individual needs and risks reflects a significant step toward addressing systemic flaws in the prison system, such as overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure. By directing inmates to facilities that match their profiles and offering job opportunities, the government seeks to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
These efforts, though ambitious, face challenges, particularly in securing the necessary infrastructure and political support to implement these reforms nationwide. The success of these initiatives will depend on their execution and the collaboration between federal and state governments.
Sources: A Folha de SP; O Globo; G1.
