Brazil to launch National Prison Intelligence Center in August

Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security has confirmed that the National Prison Intelligence Center (Cnip) will begin operations in August. Established in June via Ministerial Ordinance 1.234, the center is part of the 'Brazil Against Organized Crime' program and the 'Maximum Security Standard' project.

The Cnip will unify intelligence from federal, state, and District Federal penal police to standardize protocols and prevent criminal planning from within prisons. It will coordinate the National Penitentiary Intelligence Network (Renipen) to consolidate data, monitor crises, and support the National Secretariat of Penal Policies.

Minister of Justice Wellington César Lima e Silva emphasized that the strategy aims to disrupt communication between organized crime members. He highlighted the illegal use of mobile phones in prisons as a critical security issue linked to theft, robbery, and receiving stolen goods. Recent operations have shown significant results, including the recovery of over 6,000 cell phones and 97 arrests during 'Operation Last Call' between August 10 and 19.