A Prison De Luxe
| Published date | 01 July 1931 |
| Author | W. Cecil Price |
| Date | 01 July 1931 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X3100400310 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
APrison de
Luxe
MAKING
MURDERERS COMFORTABLE
By CAPT. W.
CECIL
PRICE
THE State Penitentiary of Sao Paulo in Brazil may fairly
be regarded as a murderer's paradise. Brazilian law does
not inflict the death penalty in the case of
murder;
its sub-
stitute is a sentence of thirty years' hard labour,
but
in the
event of a man being twice convicted of the capital charge a
life sentence is inflicted.
Perhaps the absence of the death penalty is an incitement
to
murder;
certain it is that a convict does not fear to become
an inmate of the very wonderful, I had almost said luxurious,
prison belonging to the State of Sao Paulo.
The
fact remains
that the jail is almost full and building operations for the
addition of a further prisoners' wing are nearing completion.
During my recent visit to Brazilan invitation was extended
to me to see the State Penitentiary-thereisa recognized visitors'
day, since the State of Sao Paulo is justifiably proud of its
pnson.
I might add, parenthetically, that Sao Paulo is the greatest
commercial and industrial centre in the whole of the vast
Brazilian Republic, and it is perhaps fitting that so progressive
a State should possess such a model and up-to-date institution,
easily the best of its kind in the world.
It
is situated some three miles out of the city, and to all
outward appearances it resembles a large country mansion
bounded by some of the loveliest scenery imaginable.
Written large over the portals are the
words:
WORK,
DISCIPLINE,
GOODWILL. These represent the basis of life
within the prison and form the theme of the little homily which
is read to every prisoner by the Prison Governor (or Adminis-
418
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