CAT/OP/BRA/2
B.
Overcrowding and conditions in prisons
66.
The SPT takes note of Brazil’s National Program in Support of the Prison System
(Reply para. 43), which includes a plan to eliminate the vacancies deficit in women’s
prisons. The SPT is conscious however, that this Reply does not respond to all of its
concerns highlighted in the Report in respect of overcrowding in prisons (Report paras. 9698). As a result the SPT remains unclear over the extent to which Brazil is addressing
overcrowding as a priority issue. The SPT would like to reiterate its recommendation that
Brazil re-evaluate its policies to ensure that addressing overcrowding is a priority, and that
this priority reflected in immediate steps to address it. In particular, the SPT would like to
draw the State’s attention once more to its recommendation at paragraph 97, that Brazil reevaluates its public security policies. The SPT takes note of the use of temporary facilities
indicated in the Reply, but is unclear of the extent to which this solves the problem,
particularly in the longer term. This issue can be addressed, for example, through the
development of a national action plan which includes detailed timeframes for
implementation. The SPT requests to know whether Brazil is giving priority in its National
Programme to addressing overcrowding and if so it requests further details, with a
timeframe for projected implementation, of short- and long-term measures to reduce
overcrowding in prisons.
C.
Material conditions in prisons
67.
Taking note of Brazil’s CNCP Resolution no. 9, which aims to set an architectural
standard to improve conditions in criminal establishments, the SPT requests a copy of this
Resolution for its comments. The SPT is conscious that, at present, the rule themselves
do not match the reality in prisons themselves, and trusts that Brazil is taking steps to
see it is implemented fully. The SPT requests details, including timeframes, of plans to
implement the Resolution across Brazil.
D.
Provision of healthcare
68.
The SPT remains very concerned about the inadequate provision of healthcare
which, in most of the facilities it visited, the SPT found extremely worrying (Report paras.
36-51). The SPT welcomes the detailed information with which Brazil has provided it
(Reply paras. 97-118). Included in this is Brazil’s National Health Plan in the Penitentiary
System (PNSSP). Taking note that the PNSSP has so far ensured health coverage for
30.69% of the prison population, the SPT wishes to underscore the necessity that all
detainees have access to healthcare. The SPT welcomes progress that is being made in this
relation, including increased financial resources, and requests further information.
69.
The SPT requests in particular details of the revised Plan devised by an InterMinisterial Work Group (Reply para. 103). It request information of how it is envisaged
coverage for health care for all detainees will be implemented, and timeframes for
achieving this.
VIII. Safeguards
70.
The SPT has highlighted a general lack of safeguards being observed by the police
(Preliminary Observations, para. 17, Report para. 22). The SPT’s concern is not so much
the existence of these safeguards, but their implementation. The SPT reminds the State
that to prevent torture and other ill-treatment, its safeguards must not only exist in
law and at policy level, but must be implemented. The SPT would welcome Brazil’s
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