Jailhouse Shock: The Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro Faces Life in Prison

He fought justice and justice prevailed.

Sixty days after getting a quarter-century plus sentence for attempting to “eradicate” the nation's democratic institutions, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro finally seems destined for incarceration.

Imminent Incarceration

The convicted plotter – who had been subject to house arrest in his estate while a series of judicial steps and appeals unfold – is broadly anticipated to be incarcerated in the next few days, amid growing rumors that he will be moved to a notorious high-security prison.

Past Statements on Prisoners

Throughout Bolsonaro’s 40-year public life, the conservative former military man displayed minimal mercy for the country's jailed individuals.

“What’s the need to offer those dirtbags a easy time?” he once pondered. “They should just get screwed, full-fucking-stop. That's my view.”

In another instance, Bolsonaro stated: “Should you not wish to wind up in prison, you simply need is not sexual assault, abduction or rob.”

Incarceration Destination Debate

But the possibility of Bolsonaro himself ending up in the Papuda high-security prison in Brasília has shocked supporters, four of whom this week toured the complex in an seeming effort to prevent the supreme court from sending him there.

The senator, a senator from Bolsonaro’s allied group who was among that group, said he anticipated the elderly politician to be incarcerated in the next 10 days and worried his destination could be Papuda.

The senator argued Bolsonaro’s serious gut ailments – the result of a life-threatening assault during the last presidential campaign – signified it would be dangerous to keep the former president there. “His health is highly critical. He will not be able to cope if they take him to Papuda … It will be awful,” he added, who also worried about packed cells and the quality of jail cuisine.

While visiting Papuda, Lucas remembered observing cells containing forty prisoners: “That is practically one square metre per inmate.

“We talked to the prisoners and they complain, unsurprisingly, of the terrible cuisine,” added the senator.

Allies React

Lucas is not the only voice expressing views ahead of the one-time head of state's anticipated incarceration.

Authoring in a prominent daily, a different supporter, the ex- government official Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “harsh” end to Bolsonaro’s “impeccable” time in office and claimed Brazil was about to see “the biggest unfairness in its past”.

“It is an injustice that erodes the souls of many Brazilian citizens,” the former minister said.

Mixed General Response

That may be true due to the substantial following Bolsonaro retains on the conservative side. Yet his expected jailing has also warmed the spirits of millions other people who believe he deserves to be jailed for conspiring to stop the elected leader from taking power – and even scheming to have him murdered.

The lawmaker, a representative for the incumbent leader's allied group, said: “Not a soul wants Bolsonaro to be placed in a dark cell. Not a soul wants Bolsonaro to be placed in isolation. No one wants Bolsonaro to lack food or for him to have to sleep on the floor. We want him to get respectful handling – but respectful handling behind bars. He can’t continue being his self-appointed guard for his lifetime.”

He observed how Bolsonaro allies, who have long applauding the tough treatment of convicts, had abruptly realized to their privileges. “Only now has the conservative fringe – which has consistently claimed that civil liberties were not for lawbreakers – opted to inspect a jail to find out what conditions are really like,” he remarked.

“He is a offender,” the congressman maintained, but that did not mean he merited “degrading, degrading handling”.

Possible Jail Conditions

In spite of talk that Bolsonaro could be moved to Papuda, which presently holds about thousands of inmates, his expected destination looks to be a nearby jail for law enforcement and other “unique” detainees known as Papudinha (Small Papuda).

The accommodations are far more adequate than those in the primary facility, although nevertheless a far cry from the comfort Bolsonaro enjoyed while occupying the impressive leader's home, about a short distance away.

Based on information, the cell Bolsonaro could expect to occupy in Papudinha has about 24 sq metres – roughly the size of vehicle spaces – and features a 130 square foot restroom with a bathing area and a 12 sq metre balcony. “He could be allowed to have a TV and even a minibar in his quarters as long as they were donated by his family,” the report indicated.

Political Reactions

Senator Lucas criticized the speculated plan to send the former leader to Papuda as “a type of revenge” on the part of the supreme court judge who oversaw Bolsonaro’s proceedings and will rule on his outcome in the {

Danielle Davis
Danielle Davis

A seasoned casino enthusiast and gaming strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing slot machines and casino trends.