Group in Brazil Wants Community Work Not Prison for Petty Drug Traffickers

Complexo do Alemão, in Rio As part of the debate on violence reduction in Brazil, NGO Sou da Paz (I’m for Peace) Institute launched a campaign, which puts forward alternative penalties for carrying a small amount of drugs. 

On its website, the institute presents data showing that working at educational institutions, for instance, is a better punishment for both society and those who commit a crime for the first time without resorting to violence.

According to the NGO, the adoption of sentences like community work, fines, and the use of electronic tagging does not depend on legislation changes, as they are already provided for by Brazil’s Criminal Law.

Moreover, the 20 courts spread throughout the country dedicated to this sort of penalty attest to its preparedness. For Sou da Paz Coordinator, Bruno Langeani, “both judges and the population should start backing these alternatives.”

Jurist Luiz Flávio Gomes says that punishments, when educational in its character, are more effective in reforming individuals. He argues that Brazil ranks third in order of prison population, without any reduction in violence, and adds that imprisonment should be an action considered last.

“A campaign like this could alleviate the crisis in the prison system, and, even better, reform people,” he states.

The campaign’s organizers believe alternative sentences will help ease prison overcrowding. A survey conducted in São Paulo by Sou da Paz reveals that 97% of inmates arrested for carrying drugs did not have any weapons.

Among those with marijuana, 53% were in possession of 10 to 100 grams, and only 6.7% held over 1kg. As for those caught with cocaine, figures float from 52.6% to 4.58% respectively.

Gomes claims these detainees end up serving as soldiers in the hands of drug lords inside the facility. These people, he argues, can have their lives changed through education and work.

“A prison doesn’t educate. On the contrary. The adoption of other measures would improve the penitentiary system considerably.”

The goal of Sou da Paz is to contribute to effecting security policies and help contain violence. Among their principles behind their work are democracy, social justice, and human rights.

ABr

Tags:

You May Also Like

Brazil Beats US and Now Is Number One in Spam

Cisco's 2009 annual report released this Tuesday, December 8, reveals that Brazil surpassed the ...

Brazil Praises Chile for Opposing Iraq War

During a speech, in Santiago, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva showered effusive praise ...

Brazil Reduces Malnutrition and Increases Number of Overweight Children

Over the last 30 years child malnutrition has been reduced in Brazil, especially in ...

Only 6% of Brazilians Call Themselves Black

Racism raises its ugly head almost everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. A ...

Only 1.7% of Brazilian Companies Invest in Research and Development

Innovation. This is the key word that every Brazilian entrepreneur should have in mind. ...

Brazil’s Decision to Repay IMF Early Leads Stocks to Record High

Hopes for an end to interest rate hikes in the U.S., as well as ...

Bar Association Calls Brazil’s Presence in Haiti Cruelty Against People and Troops

Organizations and social movements that participated in the World Social Forum in Venezuela last ...

Brazilian Trailer Maker Wants to Export US$ 170 Million in 2006

Randon, the Brazilian maker of highway implements, should end the year with growth of ...

Brazil’s Air Control Chief Fired, Air Supervisor Charged with Cover-Up

After watching the country’s air crisis from a distance while his Defense Minister, Air ...

Two of or the World’s 40 Journalists Killed This Year Are from Brazil

2005 is turning out to be another deadly year for journalists. According to International ...