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Brazil's Overcrowded Prisons Descend into Grisly Crisis
IN PICTURES: Brazil's prisons are under fire after violent deaths and jailbreaks early this year compounded the habitual problems of overcrowding and insecurity.

Heavily armed police on Wednesday entered the Alcacuz prison where 26 inmates were butchered in recent days and separated members of rival drug gangs waging a turf war that set off a wave of riots in Brazil's overcrowded penitentiary system.

About 220 gang members will be transferred in buses from the Alcacuz penitentiary in the state of Rio Grande do Norte to another prison at Parnamirim, outside the state capital, Natal, authorities said.

Brazil has been hit by a wave of deadly gang clashes in prisons in the north and northeast regions of the country since the start of the year. At least 140 inmates have been killed in the violence, many decapitated or mutilated.

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Riot police enter at the Alcacuz prison during an uprising in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state.
Riot police enter at the Alcacuz prison during an uprising in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state. Photo:Reuters
Relatives of inmates protest against the transfer of prisoners to another prison in front of Alcacuz prison in Natal.
Relatives of inmates protest against the transfer of prisoners to another prison in front of Alcacuz prison in Natal. Photo:Reuters
Brazil has been hit by a wave of deadly gang clashes in prisons in the north and northeast regions of the country since Jan. 1.
Brazil has been hit by a wave of deadly gang clashes in prisons in the north and northeast regions of the country since Jan. 1. Photo:Reuters
President Michel Temer's office has said the federal government has decided to allow Army troops to reinforce security at state prisons if governors made requests.
President Michel Temer's office has said the federal government has decided to allow Army troops to reinforce security at state prisons if governors made requests. Photo:Reuters
Inmates are seen on a roof during an uprising at Alcacuz prison in Natal.
Inmates are seen on a roof during an uprising at Alcacuz prison in Natal. Photo:Reuters
The overcrowded prisons are now the battleground in a quickly escalating war between the nation's two biggest drug gangs, the Sao Paulo-based First Capital Command and the Red Command based in Rio de Janeiro.
The overcrowded prisons are now the battleground in a quickly escalating war between the nation's two biggest drug gangs, the Sao Paulo-based First Capital Command and the Red Command based in Rio de Janeiro. Photo:Reuters
For two decades, the two factions have maintained a working relationship, ensuring a steady flow of drugs and arms over Brazil's porous border.
For two decades, the two factions have maintained a working relationship, ensuring a steady flow of drugs and arms over Brazil's porous border. Photo:Reuters
But about six months ago, the PCC began trying to muscle the Red Command out of key drug routes.
But about six months ago, the PCC began trying to muscle the Red Command out of key drug routes. Photo:Reuters
The bloodshed has mostly played out among inmates allied with the rival gangs, but security experts fear it will soon spill into Brazil's already violent city streets.
The bloodshed has mostly played out among inmates allied with the rival gangs, but security experts fear it will soon spill into Brazil's already violent city streets. Photo:Reuters
President Michel Temer has authorized the army to patrol the streets in Natal and other cities in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, said officials at the presidential palace.
President Michel Temer has authorized the army to patrol the streets in Natal and other cities in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, said officials at the presidential palace. Photo:Reuters
The violence, the deadliest outbreak in over two decades in the harshly criticized penal system, has gripped Brazil.
The violence, the deadliest outbreak in over two decades in the harshly criticized penal system, has gripped Brazil. Photo:Reuters
The recent spate of killings began on Jan. 1, when the powerful North Family gang, an ally of the Red Command, killed 56 inmates at a prison in Amazonas state, mostly PCC members.
The recent spate of killings began on Jan. 1, when the powerful North Family gang, an ally of the Red Command, killed 56 inmates at a prison in Amazonas state, mostly PCC members. Photo:Reuters
With over 600,000 people currently incarcerated — a rate of 306 prisoners for every 100,000 citizens — Brazil has the fourth-largest prison population in the world and the largest in Latin America.
With over 600,000 people currently incarcerated — a rate of 306 prisoners for every 100,000 citizens — Brazil has the fourth-largest prison population in the world and the largest in Latin America. Photo:Reuters
Brazil’s incarcerated population doubled in the past decade, ballooning to some 622,000 prisoners at the end of 2014.
Brazil’s incarcerated population doubled in the past decade, ballooning to some 622,000 prisoners at the end of 2014. Photo:Reuters
Harsh sentences for drug-related crimes and a chronically slow judicial system are credited for contributed to the spike in inmate numbers.
Harsh sentences for drug-related crimes and a chronically slow judicial system are credited for contributed to the spike in inmate numbers. Photo:Reuters
The majority of prisoners in the country are Black men, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The majority of prisoners in the country are Black men, according to the Ministry of Justice. Photo:Reuters
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the inhumane living conditions in Brazilian correctional facilities, which play an instrumental role in sparking violent clashes.
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the inhumane living conditions in Brazilian correctional facilities, which play an instrumental role in sparking violent clashes. Photo:Reuters
Published 18 January 2017
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