Prison Shock: Brazil's FormerPresident Jair Bolsonaro Faces Life in Prison

He contested justice and the legal system won.

A couple of months after getting a quarter-century plus sentence for attempting to “annihilate” Brazil’s democracy, former president Jair Bolsonaro finally seems jail-bound.

Anticipated Imprisonment

The convicted instigator – who had been under residential detention in his estate while a number of judicial steps and appeals unfold – is broadly anticipated to be imprisoned in the coming days, amidst mounting rumors that he will be transferred to a infamous high-security facility.

Historical Comments on Prisoners

During Bolsonaro’s 40-year political career, the far-right former military man exhibited minimal sympathy for Brazil’s prison population.

“For what reason must we give these scoundrels a good life?” he previously wondered. “They should just get screwed, full-fucking-stop. That's my view.”

On another occasion, Bolsonaro declared: “If you don’t want to finish behind bars, you simply need is not sexual assault, abduction or theft.”

Jail Destination Debate

However the prospect of Bolsonaro himself winding up in the Papuda top-security prison in Brasília has appalled supporters, four of whom this week visited the facility in an seeming attempt to dissuade the judiciary from sending him there.

The senator, a politician from Bolsonaro’s Liberal party who was part of that quartet, claimed he predicted the septuagenarian figure to be imprisoned in the following week and a half and was concerned his destination could be Papuda.

The senator argued Bolsonaro’s severe intestinal problems – the result of a life-threatening knife attack during the last political campaign – meant it would be risky to keep the former president there. “His [health] situation is highly critical. He will not be able to handle it if they move him to Papuda … It would be terrible,” he added, who also worried about cramped cells and the condition of jail cuisine.

When inspecting Papuda, Lucas noted witnessing cells holding 40 inmates: “That’s practically one square metre per inmate.

“We talked to the inmates and they complain, naturally, of the terrible meals,” remarked the senator.

Backers Speak Out

The senator isn't the sole person expressing views ahead of the ex-leader's anticipated incarceration.

Penning in a prominent daily, another ally, the former government official Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “harsh” end to Bolsonaro’s “impeccable” public service and claimed Brazil was about to see “the biggest political injustice in its record”.

“It represents an unfairness that eats away the hearts of millions people in Brazil,” the former minister said.

Divided Public Opinion

It is possibly correct given the significant backing Bolsonaro holds on the conservative side. Yet his anticipated incarceration has also pleased the hearts of numerous individuals who think he should be imprisoned for planning to prevent the elected leader from becoming president – and additionally scheming to have him murdered.

The lawmaker, a representative for the sitting administration's political party, commented: “No one wants Bolsonaro to be put in a dungeon. Not a soul wants Bolsonaro to be sent in isolation. No one desires Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to rest on hard ground. We desire him to get dignified treatment – but respectful handling behind bars. He cannot carry on being his own prison warden for his whole life.”

The congressman noted how Bolsonaro allies, who have spent years praising the severe treatment of prisoners, had suddenly realized to their rights. “Recently has the far-right – which has repeatedly argued that basic rights should not be for offenders – opted to visit a prison to learn what situations are truly like,” he said.

“Bolsonaro is a criminal,” Otoni insisted, but that did not mean he deserved “degrading, demeaning handling”.

Likely Prison Environment

In spite of speculation that Bolsonaro could be transferred to Papuda, which currently houses about thousands of inmates, his expected location appears to be a adjacent prison for officers and other “particular” inmates known as Papudinha (Little Papuda).

Its cells are far more pleasant than those in the main prison, although nonetheless a far cry from the luxury Bolsonaro enjoyed while residing in the stunning official residence, around 12 miles away.

As per sources, the cell Bolsonaro could likely inhabit in Papudinha has about 24 sq metres – about the area of two parking spaces – and features a 12 sq metre restroom with a water facility and a 12 sq metre balcony. “Bolsonaro would be authorized to have a TV and additionally a small fridge in his room as long as they were provided by his relatives,” sources stated.

Partisan Reactions

Senator Lucas criticized the speculated idea to send the one-time head of state to Papuda as “an act of payback” on the part of the supreme court judge who presided over Bolsonaro’s legal case and will rule on his outcome in the {