Alcaçuz Prison Visits Halted as Seap Launches Investigation

The Secretaria da Administração Penitenciária (Seap) opened an administrative procedure to investigate staff conduct after prison police officers refused to allow family visits at the Alcaçuz penitentiary in Rio Grande do Norte for a second consecutive day. Seap attributed the suspension to a mobilization by the Sindicato dos Policiais Penais do Rio Grande do Norte (Sindppen‑RN) and emphasized that only a judge can legally suspend social visits.

Seap reported the incident to the judiciary, deployed penal police units to maintain security, and said the postponed visits will be rescheduled once the matter is resolved. The union argues that low staffing levels make safe movement of inmates and visitors impossible and will maintain only essential services until the state government negotiates improved working conditions and security procedures.