Prison Surprise: Brazil's Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Confronts Life Behind Bars

He battled the legal system and the legal system triumphed.

Sixty days following receiving a quarter-century plus sentence for trying to “destroy” the nation's political system, one-time leader Jair Bolsonaro now seems destined for incarceration.

Anticipated Incarceration

The adjudicated coup-monger – who had been subject to home confinement in his mansion while a number of court processes and petitions unfold – is broadly anticipated to be incarcerated in the coming days, amid growing rumors that he will be transferred to a well-known maximum security facility.

Past Remarks on Prisoners

During Bolsonaro’s four-decade time in politics, the conservative former paratrooper showed little compassion for the country's inmates.

“What’s the need to provide those lowlifes a comfortable existence?” he once pondered. “They ought to simply be screwed, period. That's my opinion.”

In another instance, Bolsonaro declared: “Should you not wish to end up in prison, the only thing required is not rape, kidnap or rob.”

Jail Location Speculation

However the prospect of Bolsonaro himself winding up in the Papuda high-security prison in Brasília has horrified allies, four of whom this week toured the facility in an obvious bid to discourage the supreme court from transferring him there.

Senator Lucas, a senator from Bolsonaro’s allied group who was part of that quartet, stated he anticipated the 70-year-old figure to be imprisoned in the coming fortnight and was concerned his destination could be Papuda.

The senator argued Bolsonaro’s serious intestinal problems – the outcome of a near-fatal assault during the 2018 presidential campaign – implied it would be risky to keep the ex-leader there. “His health is extremely serious. He won’t be able to manage if they send him to Papuda … It will be dreadful,” said the senator, who also expressed concern about packed cells and the condition of prison meals.

When inspecting Papuda, Lucas recalled seeing cells holding 40 detainees: “That is practically one meter squared per detainee.

“We spoke to the prisoners and they complain, naturally, of the horrible meals,” added the senator.

Backers React

He is not the only voice voicing opinions ahead of the one-time head of state's predicted detention.

Penning in a prominent daily, another ally, the ex- communications minister Fábio Wajngarten, bemoaned the “harsh” conclusion to Bolsonaro’s “flawless” public service and asserted Brazil was about to see “the biggest political injustice in its past”.

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

Divided Public Opinion

That may be accurate given the significant backing Bolsonaro retains on the conservative side. However his predicted jailing has also pleased the feelings of millions other people who believe he ought to be jailed for conspiring to block the incoming president from assuming office – and additionally plotting to have him assassinated.

Reimont Otoni, a politician for the incumbent leader's Workers’ party, said: “No one desires Bolsonaro to be placed in a dungeon. Not a soul wishes Bolsonaro to be placed in segregation. No one desires Bolsonaro not to be fed or for him to have to sleep on the floor. We wish him to obtain proper handling – but respectful treatment behind bars. He cannot carry on being his self-appointed guard for his lifetime.”

He observed how Bolsonaro backers, who have for a long time praising the tough handling of prisoners, had abruptly realized to their privileges. “Recently has the extreme right – which has repeatedly claimed that human rights were not for lawbreakers – chosen to tour a prison to learn what conditions are really like,” he stated.

“The former president is a criminal,” he affirmed, but that did not mean he earned “shameful, demeaning handling”.

Possible Jail Conditions

Regardless of rumors that Bolsonaro could be moved to Papuda, which currently houses about 14,000 detainees, his expected location looks to be a close penitentiary for officers and other “unique” prisoners called Papudinha (Minor Papuda).

His potential cell are considerably more comfortable than those in the main prison, although nevertheless a world away from the opulence Bolsonaro enjoyed while residing in the spectacular leader's home, about a short distance away.

Based on sources, the accommodation Bolsonaro could expect to inhabit in Papudinha is about 24 square meters – roughly the area of two parking spaces – and contains a 130 square foot restroom with a water facility and a 130 square foot veranda. “The ex-president might be permitted to have a television and additionally a minibar in his quarters as long as they were donated by his loved ones,” the report indicated.

Partisan Comments

He criticized the talked-about idea to send the ex-president to Papuda as “an act of payback” on the part of the supreme court judge who led Bolsonaro’s legal case and will determine his outcome in the {