Camilo Santana: Without federal aid, there's no way to solve the prison problem.
In a press interview following the announcement of a reduction in Intentional Lethal Violent Crimes (CVLIs) in Ceará for the second consecutive year (2015/2016), Governor Camilo Santana commented on the problem of the crisis in Brazilian prisons. According to the governor, without federal aid, the states cannot solve the problem.
Ceará 247 - Commenting on the results of the policies implemented by the State Government to reduce violence, Governor Camilo Santana stated that the prison problem would only be solved with greater action from the Federal Government. According to the governor, without federal support, the States have no way to solve the problem.
The governor demanded the release of funds from the National Penitentiary Fund (Funpen) to improve and build prisons, and the definition of legislation for blocking cell phones. Governor Camilo Santana also highlighted the importance of a policy of humanization and resocialization.
In August 2015, the Supreme Federal Court ruled that the funds in the prison system cannot accumulate a surplus. This decision compelled the Executive branch to release the accumulated balance of the National Penitentiary Fund (Funpen). The fund is coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and is supplied with proceeds from lotteries and court fees.
After releasing R$ 1,2 billion to the states at the end of 2016 for prison construction and modernization of the penal system, the federal government still has R$ 2,4 billion in the National Penitentiary Fund (Funpen) to transfer to the states. This information is available on the website of the non-governmental organization Contas Abertas. The federal government plans to transfer R$ 3 billion by the end of June of this year to reform and modernize the Brazilian penitentiary system.
Regarding the blocking of cell phones, in August 2016, the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) declared unconstitutional state regulations that required mobile phone companies to install equipment to block cell phone service in prisons, and that only the Federal Government can legislate on the matter.