Caje's days are numbered.
The government of the Federal District (DF) has released R$ 13,4 million for the construction of a youth detention center in São Sebastião; another R$ 27 million will be allocated to units in Brazlândia and Santa Maria; by 2014, the overcrowded Caje (Juvenile Detention Center) should be deactivated.
Brasilia 247 – One day after announcing the release of R$ 27 million for the construction of two detention units for adolescents, the government of the Federal District is investing R$ 13.378.849,94 in the construction of a detention center in the satellite city of São Sebastião. The Specialized Juvenile Care Center (CAJE) is expected to be deactivated in a year and a half.
The São Sebastião unit will have 330 days to be completed, starting from the first business day after the issuance of the External Service Order, issued by the Novacap Buildings Directorate. The construction company responsible is RV Ltda. The measure was published in the Official Gazette of the Federal District on Tuesday the 22nd.
The R$27 million will go towards the units in Brazlândia and Santa Maria. In addition to these, two other units, Sobradinho and Gama, are in the bidding process. The promise is that all detention centers will be operational by the end of 2013. "The idea is to implement a policy that truly allows for the resocialization of these young people," explains the Secretary for Children, Rejane Pitanga.
Each unit will be able to house a maximum of 90 inmates, with the women's unit in Gama having a limit of 40 detainees. Unlike the current situation, the expectation is that only two people will occupy a cell at a time.
Caje
The closure of Caje was determined in 2009, but the GDF (Federal District Government) managed to obtain an extension. The facility was built to house 160 inmates, but on average, it houses 440 detainees.
According to officials, overcrowding prevents rehabilitation work from being carried out, in addition to posing a danger to the community.