About
Pena Justa
The Plano Pena Justa (Fair Sentencing Plan) is a national initiative aimed at reorganizing the State's actions within the Brazilian prison system. It stems from a decision by the Supreme Court (STF, the Portuguese acronym), which recognized the prison system's state of crisis and ordered the development of a plan to address it. The Plan is coordinated by the National Council of Justice (CNJ, the Portuguese acronym), the Federal Government through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and dozens of other stakeholders responsible for specific actions.
The central objective of Plano Pena Justa is to restore effective State control over prisons, ensuring that sentences are carried out in accordance with the law to reduce recidivism and strengthen public safety.
The Plan’s actions are organized around four main pillars: managing prison admissions and accommodations; improving infrastructure and services provided within the prison system; strengthening reintegration and release processes; and preventing the recurrence of structural rights violations.
The strategy encompasses more than 300 targets, including measures to improve the State’s performance, enhance the value of correctional careers, promote social participation, support victims, foster public policies focused on citizenship, and increase transparency in public data and spending.
The development of Plano Pena Justa was a collaborative effort, drawing on more than 6,000 contributions gathered through public consultations, hearings, and meetings. The initiative will be implemented over three years and monitored every six months. In addition, it will be adapted into local versions for all Brazilian states and the Federal District.
Plano Pena Justa
10
key facts you need to know about the Plano Pena Justa that will transform Brazil’s prison system.
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