# Criminal convictions for prison violence in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-convictions-for-prison-violence-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-08-31T16:45:25.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Legal proceedings in Brazil have resulted in convictions related to violence within correctional facilities.

In Contagem, Minas Gerais, six penal officers were convicted for torture and omission of torture involving inmates during a July 2020 intervention. Three officers received sentences of 18 years and 8 months for physical and psychological assaults, while three others were convicted of failing to prevent the abuses, receiving sentences of 7 years. The court also ordered the loss of public office for those convicted.

In Palmas, a jury convicted seven men for the qualified homicide of a 20-year-old inmate that occurred in December 2022. The victim was beaten and asphyxiated in a prison bathroom. Sentences varied by role, with one defendant receiving 30 years for premeditation and another 21 years for masterminding the ambush.

Recent judicial activity continues to address these and other criminal matters. In Alagoas, the Court of Justice is reviewing appeals from four military police officers sentenced to over 100 years in prison for the 2014 disappearance and death of 17-year-old Davi da Silva. The Public Ministry of Alagoas is opposing these appeals, citing witness testimony and telephone records as evidence.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Brazil courts process multiple high-profile criminal rulings

Brazilian courts are processing several major criminal cases, including appeals by military police in Alagoas, the detention of a Lieutenant Colonel in São Paulo for feminicide, and prison murders in Palmas.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palmas-court-convicts-seven-men-for-prison-homicide

### 2026-08-18: Six penal officers convicted of torturing inmates in Contagem

Six penal officers in Contagem, Brazil, were convicted for torture and omission of torture against inmates during a 2020 prison intervention. Sentences range from 7 to over 18 years.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/six-penal-officers-convicted-of-torturing-inmates-in-contagem

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Cite as: Criminal convictions for prison violence in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-convictions-for-prison-violence-in-brazil