# Repurposing of Brazilian former prisons > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/repurposing-of-brazilian-former-prisons > Updated: 2026-10-27T17:49:29.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Various Brazilian institutions are transforming former penal complexes into sites for historical preservation, tourism, and academic research. In Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, the former Cândido Mendes Penal Institute has transitioned into a destination for nature tourism and scientific research. Following its closure in 1994, the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) established the Ilha Grande Ecomuseum in 2001, which includes a Prison Museum to preserve the site’s history alongside the Atlantic Forest. In Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, the State University of Rio Grande do Norte (Uern) is launching guided tours of the former João Chaves Penitentiary, historically known as ‘Caldeirão do Diabo’. Developed through a decade of research, the 30-minute tour showcases the site’s evolution into a university campus. The route includes preserved structures such as cell walls, watchtowers, and original water tanks, some of which still feature inscriptions made by former inmates. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-27: Uern Natal launches guided tours of former prison site Uern Natal is introducing guided tours of the former João Chaves Penitentiary, now a university campus, to preserve its historical memory and showcase its architectural transformation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uern-natal-launches-guided-tours-of-former-prison-site ### 2026-10-21: Brazilian institutions repurpose former prisons for tourism and education Former prisons in Ilha Grande and Natal, Brazil, are being repurposed as historical, educational, and tourism sites through university-led preservation projects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-institutions-repurpose-former-prisons-for-tourism-and-education --- Cite as: Repurposing of Brazilian former prisons. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/repurposing-of-brazilian-former-prisons