Systematic practices of torture in prisons—such as beatings and the excessive use of less-lethal weapons—along with psychological violence and routine confinement in mental health institutions and juvenile detention centers
These conclusions were revealed in an inspection report by the National Mechanism for the Prevention and Combat of Torture (MNPCT)
on the eve of the 32nd anniversary of the Carandiru Massacre
These and other human rights violations were identified during inspections carried out in six prison units
The MNPCT visits took place in October 2023
covering seven municipalities in São Paulo state and resulted in a 400-page report
which made 231 recommendations for the prison system
the National Mechanism highlights the existence of dark and unsanitary cells in Venceslau I Penitentiary
responsible for procedures in units under the differentiated disciplinary regime
operates without any objective of rehabilitation. 
At the Tupi Paulista Women’s Penitentiary and the Franco da Rocha Detention Center
inspections revealed a lack of material and healthcare assistance
as well as instances of moral violence against pregnant women and mothers with babies
who are imprisoned in degrading conditions. 
the inspections identified poor conditions
a lack of appropriate educational activities
and the use of punitive methods that may amount to institutional bullying
in addition to the inappropriate presence of male care workers in female units
The visits were conducted at Fundação Casa Chiquinha Gonzaga and Fundação Casa São Paulo
the report denounces the illegal confinement of individuals in institutions such as the Experimental Health Unit (UES) in São Paulo (SP)
which operates as a cross between an asylum and a prison
The Long-Term Care Service for Alcohol and Drugs (SCP-AD)
operates outside the Psychosocial Care Network
focusing on deprivation of liberty and forced abstinence
the MNPCT suggests increasing the budget for the maintenance of prison units and ensuring the rights of incarcerated individuals
and making the use of body cameras mandatory during police interventions
enforcement of Resolution 225/2021 is recommended
This prohibits girls being held in custody by male staff
Also recommended is the introduction of more socialization activities. 
the Mechanism recommends the immediate closure of the UES and SCP-AD
along with the adoption of a deinstitutionalization plan
The report was submitted to state and federal authorities
who now face the challenge of implementing the urgent changes recommended by the MNPCT in order to address the serious human rights violations identified during the inspections
“We understand that the Carandiru Massacre
because today people deprived of their freedom in the state of São Paulo continue to die at the hands of the State
Beyond the physical death promoted by the State
which ‘lets them die’ by imposing a ‘sentence of hunger’ or failing to provide medication
where the torture inflicted strips these individuals of their dignity and humanity
We believe that authorities must recognize the complexity of the problems created in these spaces
solutions can be built to overcome this situation,” says Camila Sabino
expert at the National Mechanism for the Prevention and Combat of Torture
2025 - Conectas Human Rights - Postal Code 47 - São Paulo (SP)
Brazil - ZIP: 01032-970 - Phone: +55 (11) 3884-7440