Cardozo extends National Force deployment in Pedrinhas.
The Ministry of Justice, headed by José Eduardo Cardozo, extended the deployment of the National Force in Maranhão at the request of the state government; Governor Roseana Sarney declared a state of emergency and asked the Ministry of Justice to send the National Force to guarantee security at the prison.
Marcelo Brandão
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia - The Ministry of Justice has extended the deployment of the National Force in Maranhão, at the request of the state government. The decision was published in... Official Gazette today (8). The increased police presence in prisons will continue until February 23.
The National Force has the support of the state's public security agencies to restore normalcy in prisons where there are clashes between criminal factions.
The prison crisis began in October of last year, when there was a rebellion in the Pedrinhas Complex. Nine men were killed and 20 were injured.
Governor Roseana Sarney declared a state of emergency and requested the Ministry of Justice to send the National Force to guarantee security at the prison.