Ministry of Justice authorizes intervention in penitentiaries

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Safety authorized on Wednesday (Mar. 15) the employment of the Penitentiary Intervention Task Force in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, for a period of 30 days. The task force will coordinate guard services, surveillance, and custody of prisoners.

On the same day, Justice Minister Flávio Dino disclosed an authorization to send 220 agents of the National Force and the Penitentiary Intervention Force to contain violent attacks and reinforce security in this state. At least 100 agents have already arrived in Rio Grande do Norte.

In recent days, the state has been the target of violent attacks planned by a criminal organization allegedly protesting against the conditions of prisoners in penitentiaries. Public buildings, commercial establishments, and vehicles in at least 14 cities were set on fire.

A man suspected of commanding the attacks was killed during a confrontation with the police in the neighboring state of Paraíba, in the early hours of Wednesday (15). Investigations point out that he was responsible "for financing and distributing weapons to the group that carried out the attacks." Five other people died, and 39 more suspects are in jail.