Defense: Roseana speaks about the "real Maranhão"

Maranhão 247 - The governor of Maranhão, Roseana Sarney, published an article this Sunday in Folha de S. Paulo, in which she defends her administration and points to social and economic improvements in her state. Read below:

The real Maranhão

Brazilians are familiar with the reality of the national prison system. Rebellions and violence unfortunately occur in several prisons across various states.

There are many causes for the problems in the prison system, some of which end up dramatically disrupting the peace and tranquility of Brazilian families. All states, without exception, suffer from a centralized and bureaucratic model.

Furthermore, the earmarking of budgetary resources restricts the balanced distribution of net current revenue to meet sectoral demands. On average, in the country, personnel expenses account for around 45% of the budget; education receives 25%; health, 12%; and debt repayment, 13%.

Combined, these percentages account for 95% of state revenue. Only 5% remains for other obligations, such as operating costs, public safety, infrastructure, social programs, agriculture, etc.

To make matters worse, we have the drug problem, which is the main cause of violence: to finance trafficking and consumption, people kill and steal.

Maranhão has never had a tradition of violence. When I left the government in 2002, we were the least violent state in the country. The expansion of organized crime throughout the national territory, supported by the exploitation of drug trafficking, created connections between gangs and criminal groups, spreading the pattern of violence we see today across the country.

Indicators for Maranhão are improving. Today, we have the 16th largest GDP in Brazil; in 2011, the latest data from IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), real GDP grew by 10,3%, while Brazil's GDP grew by 2,7%; we were first in the Northeast and fifth in the country; per capita income reached R$ 7.852,71. Public and private investments are transforming the economy of Maranhão.

In education, the average school score rose from 478,75 in 2011 to 481,37 in 2012, according to data from the National High School Exam (Enem). With this result, Maranhão climbed three positions in the Enem ranking.

We are implementing one of the largest health programs in Brazil, with the construction of ten emergency care units and 72 hospitals. New water mains, distribution networks, and treatment plants are being installed to increase the population's coverage of basic sanitation.

In public security, using our own resources, we are allocating R$ 131 million for the construction of seven new prisons, the renovation and re-equipping of the prison system, the purchase of weapons, vehicles, metal detectors, X-ray scanners, and radio stations. By February 15th, 2.401 new police officers will increase our contingent. So far, 418 new prison spaces have been created in Maranhão. This number will be doubled in the next six months.

I do not accept and do not condone violence. Respect for human rights and the physical integrity of citizens is paramount. No citizen advocacy organization has filed a complaint regarding threats against the families of prisoners.

What happened in Pedrinhas is an act of savagery and barbarity. I have ordered a thorough investigation of the facts and exemplary punishment for those responsible. The death of six-year-old Ana Clara will remain in our memories forever.

Only through the unity of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the Public Defender's Office, and the Public Prosecutor's Office will it be possible to win this tough battle. Last Thursday, I received the Minister of Justice and representatives from the three branches of government.

We have already initiated a major action plan with 11 items that include measures such as joint efforts by public defenders, prisoner transfers and service centers, as well as police training. These are measures that will solve the state's prison problem.

We are a state of hardworking people, proud of our land and our traditions. With our efforts and everyone's help, we will overcome these difficulties.