COVID-19 in the brazilian prison system: From indifference as a policy to a death policy

Abstract

At the beginning of 2020 Covid-19-a disease caused by a new type of coronavirus-was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization and affected countries on all continents, leading to the death of hundreds of thousands of people. In Brazil, the disease has also spread quickly, requiring measures of social isolation. Marked by overcrowding and precarious infrastructure, brazilian prisons have become an issue of concern for national and international organizations that have demanded releasing measures. In this context, this article analyzes the National Penitentiary Department's proposal to use containers to shelter prisoners, which is against Resolution 62/2020 of the National Council of Justice, that pointed to the reduction of the population deprived of liberty. It is discussed how the disregard for releasing measures and the demand for even more rights-violating propositions lead to the ratification of a death policy for prisoners.