Prison Shock: Brazil's FormerPresident Bolsonaro Faces Time Behind Bars

He fought justice and justice won.

Sixty days following receiving a 27-year sentence for attempting to “destroy” Brazil’s democracy, one-time leader Jair Bolsonaro at last looks headed to prison.

Expected Incarceration

The convicted plotter – who has been subject to home confinement in his mansion while a series of court processes and appeals play out – is widely expected to be jailed in the near future, amidst growing speculation that he will be moved to a notorious maximum security prison.

Historical Remarks on Inmates

During Bolsonaro’s long public life, the conservative ex- paratrooper displayed minimal compassion for the country's prison population.

“For what reason must we offer these dirtbags a easy time?” he previously wondered. “They should just get messed, period. That's my opinion.”

On another occasion, Bolsonaro declared: “If you don’t want to finish in prison, the only thing required is not rape, kidnap or theft.”

Jail Destination Debate

However the prospect of Bolsonaro himself landing in the Papuda maximum security prison in Brasília has appalled supporters, four of whom this week inspected the complex in an obvious bid to discourage the supreme court from banishing him there.

Izalci Lucas, a lawmaker from Bolsonaro’s political party who was part of that quartet, stated he anticipated the 70-year-old leader to be jailed in the next 10 days and worried his location could be Papuda.

Lucas claimed Bolsonaro’s severe digestive issues – the result of a life-threatening assault during the 2018 presidential presidential campaign – implied it would be risky to keep the one-time head of state there. “His health is highly critical. He won’t be able to handle it if they send him to Papuda … It will be awful,” he commented, who also worried about packed cells and the condition of jail cuisine.

While visiting Papuda, Lucas noted witnessing cells containing 40 inmates: “It's virtually one meter squared per detainee.

“We conversed to the prisoners and they grumble, naturally, of the awful meals,” added the senator.

Backers Speak Out

The senator isn't the only voice expressing views prior to the ex-leader's predicted incarceration.

Penning in a leading newspaper, another ally, the ex- cabinet member Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “brutal” finale to Bolsonaro’s “flawless” public service and claimed Brazil was about to witness “the biggest wrong in its record”.

“It represents an wrong that erodes the souls of countless of Brazilians,” the former minister said.

Mixed Public Response

This could be accurate given the substantial support Bolsonaro retains on the right-wing. Yet his anticipated imprisonment has also warmed the feelings of numerous individuals who believe he should be incarcerated for plotting to block his successor from taking power – and additionally conspiring to have him assassinated.

Congressman Otoni, a congressman for the sitting administration's allied group, commented: “Not a soul wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in a dungeon. No one wishes Bolsonaro to be sent in segregation. No one wishes Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to lie on concrete. We desire him to receive respectful handling – but dignified handling while incarcerated. He must not carry on being his personal jailer for his whole life.”

He observed how Bolsonaro supporters, who have spent years praising the tough treatment of convicts, had suddenly woken up to their privileges. “Recently has the far-right – which has consistently claimed that human rights should not be for offenders – opted to inspect a jail to find out what situations are actually like,” he remarked.

“Bolsonaro is a lawbreaker,” the congressman maintained, but that did not mean he deserved “humiliating, degrading treatment”.

Likely Jail Facilities

In spite of speculation that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which currently contains about fourteen thousand detainees, his probable location looks to be a adjacent jail for officers and other “unique” inmates known as Papudinha (Minor Papuda).

Its cells are much more adequate than those in the main prison, although still a distant from the luxury Bolsonaro experienced while residing in the impressive leader's home, around 12 miles away.

According to sources, the room Bolsonaro could likely reside in in Papudinha has about 24 sq metres – about the area of vehicle spaces – and includes a 130 square foot WC with a water facility and a 12 square meter balcony. “He could be authorized to have a set and even a minibar in his room as long as they were supplied by his relatives,” sources suggested.

Partisan Reactions

The lawmaker criticized the talked-about proposal to send the ex-president to Papuda as “a form of retaliation” on the part of the judicial authority who presided over Bolsonaro’s proceedings and will rule on his fate in the {