SEVEN DEAD IN LATEST WAVE OF PCC-LED RIOTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAO PAULO 000348 SIPDIS NSC FOR CRONIN DEPT ALSO FOR WHA/PDA, DRL/PHD, INL, DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCRM SOCI SNAR ASEC BR SUBJECT: SEVEN DEAD IN LATEST WAVE OF PCC-LED RIOTS IN SAO PAULO'S JAILS AND PRISONS REF: A) Sao Paulo 319 B) Sao Paulo 278 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Seven inmates died during a 21-hour rebellion that rocked a public jail in Sao Paulo state March 23-24. This deadly event occurred two days after a series of prison disturbances in four municipalities in the state, and is believed to have been organized by the powerful gang, the First Capital Command (PCC). Riots continue at present. Governor and now opposition presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin believes that the rebellions are politically motivated. END SUMMARY. Seven Dead -------------- ¶2. (U) A 21-hour rebellion caused seven deaths at the "Cadeia Publica" (public jail) in Jundiai, Sao Paulo state, on March 23. The seven inmates died from asphyxiation from burning mattresses. The rebellion was in part a protest against overcrowding in a facility which was built to hold 120 persons, but housed 484. The uprising, which ended when riot troops entered the facility, is considered linked to prison riots throughout the state earlier in the week. Chaos in the Prison System -------------- ¶3. (U) The week of rioting began on Monday, March 20 at the Odon Ramos Magalhaes Penitentiary in Ipero, in the interior of Sao Paulo state. Twenty-two persons were wounded, and the rebellion continued until riot police arrived. Riots soon followed at one other penitentiary and in three "Temporary Detention Centers (CDPs)," also part of the State Penitentiary system, in response to the presence of riot police at Ipero. (NOTE: The availability of cell phones throughout the state prison and jail system makes it possible for inmate and gang leaders in different facilities to coordinate actions. See ref A. END NOTE.) Disturbances followed at facilities in Maua, Caiua, Mogi das Cruzes, and Franco da Rocha in Sao Paulo city. The week of March 27 began with more headaches for state authorities, with rebellions in four additional CDPs and at the public jail in Tatui in the interior. Overcrowding a Common Characteristic -------------- ¶4. (SBU) All the facilities involved in recent riots are overcrowded. For example, the Franco da Rocha facility was built to accommodate 600 inmates but currently houses 1,177 persons. Statistics published by the Secretariat for Prisons highlight state-wide overcrowding. The prison system was built to accommodate 95,153 prisoners, but currently incarcerates 122,984. Furthermore, over 17,000 persons remain in public jails and holding cells administered by the State Secretariat for Public Security, despite promises SIPDIS by Governor Alckmin to close these facilities and transfer inmates to the CDPs of the Prison Administration. Human rights workers decry the often lengthy time detainees spend in public jails after arrest. A credible NGO source told Poloff that the State Secretariat for Public Security, which administers the public jails, has no budget to provide inmates with basic toiletry supplies, let alone social or educational programs, leading those waiting official transfer to the penal system in worse conditions than they will face in prison. Power of the PCC -------------- SAO PAULO 00000348 002 OF 002 ¶5. (SBU) The PCC is widely believed to be behind the prison and jail riots of the last week and a half. (NOTE: Ref A discussed the growing power of the PCC within the penitentiary system. END NOTE.) According to press reports, the PCC will continue disturbances if certain demands are not met, including an end to the hated "Differentiated Disciplinary Regime," which allows judges to sentence inmates who commit crimes while in prison to up to a year in solitary confinement in high security facilities. In 2001 the PCC was believed to be responsible for a series of riots and rebellions that simultaneously rocked 29 facilities throughout the state. Political Motivation? -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Press reports indicate that Governor and now opposition PSDB presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin believes that the series of recent prison disturbances are politically motivated. The rebellions began just days after AlckminQs nomination was announced by his partyQs president. (ref B). Francisco de Assis Santana, Director of Training for the Sao Paulo State Penitentiary System, told Poloff that overcrowding and the influence of the PCC are the reasons behind the riots. Santana states that the PCC, working with the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (Landless Rural Workers Movement - MST),seeks to destabilize the government. Poloff sought clarification whether the PCC and MST work together or merely along parallel lines. Santana stated that the groups work together in many instances. He pointed out that in the rural far west of Sao Paulo state, both MST activists and PCC gang leaders are incarcerated in the same prisons. Communication in and between facilities is not a problem. (ref C). Santana foresees a long year of disturbances, believing that the upcoming presidential election and the World Cup soccer championship will create a heated environment inside prisons. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: This latest wave of prison uprisings comes just as Governor Alckmin is under the spotlight as a presidential candidate. Some journalists suggest that the PCC wishes to draw attention to public security as AlckminQs "Achilles heel." Whether or not the wave of disturbances is related to the governor's candidacy, the power of the PCC within the state detention system is evident and worrisome. END COMMENT. ¶8. (U) This cable was coordinated/cleared with Embassy Brasilia. MCMULLEN