Negotiators from the Military Police of the state of Paraná resumed today (Aug 25) their attempts to put down the riot started at the State Penitentiary of Cascavel, in the state’s western region. Four inmates have been killed, two of whom beheaded, since the uprising began on Sunday morning (24). Two prison agents are still being kept as hostages.
The Penitentiary Department of Paraná (“Depen”) reported it is still trying to find out the reason behind the riot. Conflicts among prisoners from rival criminal groups is one of the most likely explanations. Other related issues include dissatisfaction among detainees over visiting rules, the low quality of the food, and the poor relationship between inmates and members of the prison’s administration.
According to the Secretariat of Justice of Paraná, 145 prisoners running the risk of being killed have already been transferred to other prison institutions in the state. An accurate survey on the damage done to the facility will only be conducted after the agents are released and the uprising is over. But the secretary has already stated that a significant part of the Penitentiary of Cascavel has been damaged. Detainees have broken tiles, set fire to mattresses, and ransacked cells.
Footage disclosed by a number of press agencies shows prisoners holding banners and posters with the name of a criminal organization that can be found in several parts of the country.
Capable of housing 1,116 prisoners, the Penitentiary of Cascavel accommodated 1,038 interns when the rebellion started.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Four dead during prison riot in Paraná
