Gang violence in Brazil is surging. Once gang members are brought to justice and placed in jails, they start riots between themselves and others of different gang affiliations. So, in reality, the crime continues inside the institution and is merely removed from the streets. However, these gangs are so powerful that the jail staff cannot control them. In fact, it is almost like they govern themselves. Anything from smuggling in guns and cell phones to burning mattresses could go on. Actually, all of these things have happened in a jail within the city of Minas Gerais. So, why do the prisoners bring in cell phones? Leaders of the gangs use cell phones that they have smuggled in to keep track of the gang and what or how it is doing. It is a means of keeping the gang in business while the leader is away. If this type of behavior cannot be avoided, there is no way to dismember a gang. Obviously, bringing a gun into a jail has a purpose; either to take care of oneself through self-protection or to do harm to someone else. The main story here though, is that in Minas Gerais, twenty-five inmates were killed due to riotous violence. By the powers invested in themselves, one group of gang members forced members of another gang into a cell and somehow managed to light the mattresses on fire. Obviously, the mattresses burned and the members died either by smoke inhalation or burns. This type of activity is normal in Brazil’s usually overcrowded prisons.
It surprises me how much control these guys have over the system. It is appalling that the prisoners are not controlled by the jail. It makes sense that the guards would be fearful of these inmates, but as long as they know that they are capable of manipulating the jail environment they will do so. Until this problem is fixed, the crisis will continue.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20414867/
Mindy Collins
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