sexta-feira, 29 de abril de 2011
BRASIL:Pena não se confunde com vingança coletiva
Por Walter Ceneviva
Discutida a questão das prisões brasileiras, duas posições discordantes surgem, entre muitas outras, quando predomina, na avaliação da matéria, o ângulo do pagador de impostos, de cujo bolso sai a construção de cadeias e a manutenção dos encarcerados.
O assunto perturba a avaliação racional da sociedade. Tome-se, em contraposição, o simbolismo econômico-social do trabalhador comum. Enfrenta a jornada diária de trabalho, com seus encargos de família, mas ganha por mês menos que o custo mensal de manter cada prisioneiro pelo Estado.
Ao lado das questões jurídicas e científicas do penitenciarismo contemporâneo, crescem as da delinquência e do sistema punitivo, no cotejar com a avaliação dos crescentes encargos envolvidos.
A complexidade do combate ao crime, nos três poderes constitucionais, é grande. Vai da elaboração de leis e códigos à sua aplicação prática, com a constante busca de aprimoramento; da vigilância e fiscalização preventivas às investigações e à captura dos delinquentes.
Completa-se no julgamento final, na condenação ou na absolvição. Tudo tem custo para a administração pública e, portanto, para a cidadania. E os custos tendem a aumentar sempre mais.
Devemos ter consciência de que a questão econômica não é a mais importante. A pena é dado fundamental no enfrentamento da criminalidade, mas não se confunde com atos de vingança coletiva.
Compõe os elementos de garantia da sociedade, quando tenha aplicação rápida sem perda da qualidade. Os pedidos da população para o agravamento desmedido das punições não satisfazem o requisito da defesa da comunidade, cuja realização não tem sido assegurada pela administração.
Sabe-se que faltam prisões. O espaço disponível para recolhimento dos condenados é insuficiente. O ritmo da construção de novos presídios, mesmo lento, sai de nosso bolso, por meio de impostos e taxas cada vez mais altos.Sendo certo que todos pagamos pelo enfrentamento da criminalidade, o assunto não é só dos governos, mas reclama que a comunidade conheça o problema, esteja atenta para o que vem sendo feito e daquilo a se fazer.
As prisões superlotadas de hoje são o oposto do desejável. Não diminuem o custo médio de cada criminoso recolhido. A violência e a promiscuidade estimulam mais delitos. O quadro se completa ao se saber, na teoria e na prática, que a avaliação social das comunidades brasileiras mostra grande descrença nos resultados obtidos pelos três poderes constitucionais.
Os desejáveis resultados não têm surgido. Desse modo, para discutir qual o melhor efeito concreto, com menor gasto operacional, seria bom que houvesse cadeias bem aparelhadas, seguras, aptas à classificação dos tipos de condenados, para sua distribuição ponderada, a ponto de impedir que autores de condutas mais graves, sob penas mais longas, se tornem mestres ou estimuladores de novos criminosos.
Se o Judiciário tivesse condições administrativas e humanas de ser menos lento, seria afastada a quase certeza de que apenas uns poucos são condenados e levados a cumprir condenações, raramente em prazo integral.
Ressalvado que o problema não é apenas brasileiro, a distância entre as providências necessárias e o mínimo exigido a curto prazo parece imensa.
*Artigo publicado originalmente no jornal Folha de S. Paulo, neste sábado (23/4).
fonte
Discutida a questão das prisões brasileiras, duas posições discordantes surgem, entre muitas outras, quando predomina, na avaliação da matéria, o ângulo do pagador de impostos, de cujo bolso sai a construção de cadeias e a manutenção dos encarcerados.
O assunto perturba a avaliação racional da sociedade. Tome-se, em contraposição, o simbolismo econômico-social do trabalhador comum. Enfrenta a jornada diária de trabalho, com seus encargos de família, mas ganha por mês menos que o custo mensal de manter cada prisioneiro pelo Estado.
Ao lado das questões jurídicas e científicas do penitenciarismo contemporâneo, crescem as da delinquência e do sistema punitivo, no cotejar com a avaliação dos crescentes encargos envolvidos.
A complexidade do combate ao crime, nos três poderes constitucionais, é grande. Vai da elaboração de leis e códigos à sua aplicação prática, com a constante busca de aprimoramento; da vigilância e fiscalização preventivas às investigações e à captura dos delinquentes.
Completa-se no julgamento final, na condenação ou na absolvição. Tudo tem custo para a administração pública e, portanto, para a cidadania. E os custos tendem a aumentar sempre mais.
Devemos ter consciência de que a questão econômica não é a mais importante. A pena é dado fundamental no enfrentamento da criminalidade, mas não se confunde com atos de vingança coletiva.
Compõe os elementos de garantia da sociedade, quando tenha aplicação rápida sem perda da qualidade. Os pedidos da população para o agravamento desmedido das punições não satisfazem o requisito da defesa da comunidade, cuja realização não tem sido assegurada pela administração.
Sabe-se que faltam prisões. O espaço disponível para recolhimento dos condenados é insuficiente. O ritmo da construção de novos presídios, mesmo lento, sai de nosso bolso, por meio de impostos e taxas cada vez mais altos.Sendo certo que todos pagamos pelo enfrentamento da criminalidade, o assunto não é só dos governos, mas reclama que a comunidade conheça o problema, esteja atenta para o que vem sendo feito e daquilo a se fazer.
As prisões superlotadas de hoje são o oposto do desejável. Não diminuem o custo médio de cada criminoso recolhido. A violência e a promiscuidade estimulam mais delitos. O quadro se completa ao se saber, na teoria e na prática, que a avaliação social das comunidades brasileiras mostra grande descrença nos resultados obtidos pelos três poderes constitucionais.
Os desejáveis resultados não têm surgido. Desse modo, para discutir qual o melhor efeito concreto, com menor gasto operacional, seria bom que houvesse cadeias bem aparelhadas, seguras, aptas à classificação dos tipos de condenados, para sua distribuição ponderada, a ponto de impedir que autores de condutas mais graves, sob penas mais longas, se tornem mestres ou estimuladores de novos criminosos.
Se o Judiciário tivesse condições administrativas e humanas de ser menos lento, seria afastada a quase certeza de que apenas uns poucos são condenados e levados a cumprir condenações, raramente em prazo integral.
Ressalvado que o problema não é apenas brasileiro, a distância entre as providências necessárias e o mínimo exigido a curto prazo parece imensa.
*Artigo publicado originalmente no jornal Folha de S. Paulo, neste sábado (23/4).
fonte
Man spends decade in prison without trial
By Karen Barlow and Alison McClymont
Updated Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:41am AEST
Marlon Noble and his campaigner Ida Curtois. (ABC News: Karen Barlow)
Video: Sexual assault charges against WA man in doubt (Lateline)
Related Link: Background Briefing: Low IQ and in jail
Imprisoned Western Australian man Marlon Noble has spoken out about the 10 years of his life he has lost to a crime he has not been convicted of.
After being deemed unfit to stand trial on sexual assault charges, the 29-year-old mentally impaired man has spent more than a third of his life in a WA jail on an "unlimited" custody order.
Marlon Noble says he has lost himself in Geraldton's Greenough Prison.
"I just crumble in myself, crumble, just like bricks off a walls," he said.
"Crumbs all over me. I try and push it off me. [The bricks] have got more strength than me."
For Noble and 29 other accused people in Western Australia, the only current options available to authorities are prison or release.
Authorities have kept him in jail over community safety concerns even though the case against him has not been tested.
Noble has friends in jail, but he wants to be released. He has a job and 24-hour support lined up for him when he is outside prison.
"I don't like it in there it is hurting me. [It is] too much in there for me. I wanna go to my family," he said.
Noble's mental impairment is due to a bout of meningitis contracted as a child.
Retired social worker Ida Curtois, who has known Noble since he was nine, says he is easily led.
"He has an amazing personality. He is really funny. He will do anything for anyone.. he only sees good in people," she said.
"Part of him can get into a bit of strife because he is so good and he will do anything for anyone and therefore due to his intellectual disability he can be coerced in to doing something wrong.
"But over the years he has really learnt and he can define what is right and wrong. He know knows when he is being manipulated. He now has lots of strategies on how to stop that manipulation."
In 2001, Noble was accused of sexually abusing two girls in Carnarvon.
Deemed unfit to stand trial in 2003, but also weighing up community safety, the court was faced with a choice between making a custody order or making a release order.
His barrister Matthew Holgate says the hearing was not based on hearing any evidence from the people involved.
"It was conducted on the basis on the court reviewing the papers that the police had prepared and reviewing a number of psychiatric reports and some community justice service reports. As a result of that a custody order was made," he said.
Noble is not an isolated case - there are currently 29 other people in West Australian jails who have never been found innocent or guilty.
Of those in prison, 13 - including Noble - are unfit to stand trial and 17 are in jail despite being found not guilty due to an unsound mind.
If a custody order is made in Western Australia, it is for an unlimited time.
Ms Curtois says Noble has been in prison for more than a third of his life.
"If he has been tried and found guilty he would never ever been sentenced to the length of time," she said.
Mr Holgate says Noble's imprisonment is open ended.
"Most people I've spoken to and the consensus is that if he'd been found guilty or pleaded guilty to what he had been accused of, he would have been sentenced to something of the order of four to five years in prison with parole," he said.
"That would have meant serving two years less than that in prison."
Setting up to fail
For West Australian courts issuing custody orders, the only choice is to release the mentally impaired accused person or send them to prison.
Judges have called out for an option of a "declared place" to house mentally impaired accused people while also protecting them and the community.
Principal solicitor at the Mental Health Law Centre in Perth, Sandra Boulter, says it criminalises their illness.
"We set them up to fail in the first place and when they fail and we make a custody order then they're locked away one would say as cheaply as possible, because as I understand it, a prison bed is $100,000 a year to keep and a secure hospital bed is $300,000 to keep," she said.
Western Australian shadow attorney-general John Quigley says people with the mental impairment should not be put in with general prison population.
"We have got a hopeless situation in WA, an absolutely hopeless situation. The justice situation in WA is falling apart," he said.
An accused person subject to the custody order comes under the control of West Australia's Mentally Impaired Accused Review Board (MIARB).
The board's chair, Justice Narelle Johnson, cannot speak about Noble's case, but she has been actively lobbying the State Government for the option of a declared place.
She says legislation does not have to be changed to make it happen.
"It is extremely frustrating because membership of the board exposes you to very, very sad cases," she said.
"Although these people may have done some very dangerous things, some of the people are people who are only in those situation because of things beyond their control.
"That is their intellectually impairment or their mental illness and it is something that all members of the board are very concerned about."
Justice Johnson says a declared place just needs political will.
"We think that these people should be protected and the community be protected but in the nicest way possible, so these people have a good quality of life," she said.
"I am not suggesting that they are not well cared for in prison but they are vulnerable people and it is not an optimum environment."
She says the MIARB is open to scrutiny.
"I think that if you went to a community member and said to them these are the circumstances, I am sure that they would be concerned," she said.
"But I think that it is just something that people just don't think about. The other thing too is that the community are entitled to be protected and they have an interest in ensuring that that board does its job appropriately and applies the criteria, which includes the safety of the community.
"So I don't think there is a huge community interest in the board. I have certainly not seen any signs of it, but it does not follow that the community don't care but they are entitled about their own welfare as well."
The West Australian Government, which also will not speak about Noble's case, is now viewing a declared place favourably.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says she will make custody orders a priority.
"I'm not finding it embarrassing. I'm finding it something I'm anxious to do some work on," she said.
"I've certainly had some discussions with the Attorney-General and the Minister for Corrective Services, the Director General for Disability Services has worked quite solidly now. I've asked him to pull together some option papers that we can consider and take through to Government for some consideration."
'International embarrassment
Supporters also want the legislation covering mentally impaired accused people amended so custody orders are not unlimited.
Labor wants Noble released now. Mr Quigley says Attorney-General Christian Porter should sign the release form today.
"The justice system in Western Australia is a disgrace to the good name in Western Australia and it brings to Australia international embarrassment and we need help," he said.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says she hopes to have an announcement soon.
"I understand there are around 11 people in prison at the moment who are intellectually disabled and are in similar circumstances and I'm a relatively new minister," she said.
"It's been brought to my attention about two months ago; I believe I'm taking the steps forwards that are necessary at the moment."
Noble has never had a hearing in court of the allegations, which means the case against him has never been tested. Now the alleged victims are coming forward to clear his name.
The alleged victims' mother spoke to ABC Radio yesterday.
"The girls are saying nothing ever happened, and that's all I thought when I heard he went to jail - that these fellas are going to be witnesses - and then I kind of heard later a bit later down the track about that nothing ever happened," she said.
The mother says she is still waiting for the police to talk to her about the allegations.
Noble just wants to be released.
"I'm bouncing off the walls - four corners, that corner, this corner and this square that corner and that corner and that corner and that's corner and going in straight in the middle ... I bounce that corner .. bang. Bounce against that," he said.
The West Australian Director of Public Prosecutions is reviewing Noble's case.
If it does lead to his release, his supporters say they will not stop until all accused people on custody orders have other options.
Updated Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:41am AEST
Marlon Noble and his campaigner Ida Curtois. (ABC News: Karen Barlow)
Video: Sexual assault charges against WA man in doubt (Lateline)
Related Link: Background Briefing: Low IQ and in jail
Imprisoned Western Australian man Marlon Noble has spoken out about the 10 years of his life he has lost to a crime he has not been convicted of.
After being deemed unfit to stand trial on sexual assault charges, the 29-year-old mentally impaired man has spent more than a third of his life in a WA jail on an "unlimited" custody order.
Marlon Noble says he has lost himself in Geraldton's Greenough Prison.
"I just crumble in myself, crumble, just like bricks off a walls," he said.
"Crumbs all over me. I try and push it off me. [The bricks] have got more strength than me."
For Noble and 29 other accused people in Western Australia, the only current options available to authorities are prison or release.
Authorities have kept him in jail over community safety concerns even though the case against him has not been tested.
Noble has friends in jail, but he wants to be released. He has a job and 24-hour support lined up for him when he is outside prison.
"I don't like it in there it is hurting me. [It is] too much in there for me. I wanna go to my family," he said.
Noble's mental impairment is due to a bout of meningitis contracted as a child.
Retired social worker Ida Curtois, who has known Noble since he was nine, says he is easily led.
"He has an amazing personality. He is really funny. He will do anything for anyone.. he only sees good in people," she said.
"Part of him can get into a bit of strife because he is so good and he will do anything for anyone and therefore due to his intellectual disability he can be coerced in to doing something wrong.
"But over the years he has really learnt and he can define what is right and wrong. He know knows when he is being manipulated. He now has lots of strategies on how to stop that manipulation."
In 2001, Noble was accused of sexually abusing two girls in Carnarvon.
Deemed unfit to stand trial in 2003, but also weighing up community safety, the court was faced with a choice between making a custody order or making a release order.
His barrister Matthew Holgate says the hearing was not based on hearing any evidence from the people involved.
"It was conducted on the basis on the court reviewing the papers that the police had prepared and reviewing a number of psychiatric reports and some community justice service reports. As a result of that a custody order was made," he said.
Noble is not an isolated case - there are currently 29 other people in West Australian jails who have never been found innocent or guilty.
Of those in prison, 13 - including Noble - are unfit to stand trial and 17 are in jail despite being found not guilty due to an unsound mind.
If a custody order is made in Western Australia, it is for an unlimited time.
Ms Curtois says Noble has been in prison for more than a third of his life.
"If he has been tried and found guilty he would never ever been sentenced to the length of time," she said.
Mr Holgate says Noble's imprisonment is open ended.
"Most people I've spoken to and the consensus is that if he'd been found guilty or pleaded guilty to what he had been accused of, he would have been sentenced to something of the order of four to five years in prison with parole," he said.
"That would have meant serving two years less than that in prison."
Setting up to fail
For West Australian courts issuing custody orders, the only choice is to release the mentally impaired accused person or send them to prison.
Judges have called out for an option of a "declared place" to house mentally impaired accused people while also protecting them and the community.
Principal solicitor at the Mental Health Law Centre in Perth, Sandra Boulter, says it criminalises their illness.
"We set them up to fail in the first place and when they fail and we make a custody order then they're locked away one would say as cheaply as possible, because as I understand it, a prison bed is $100,000 a year to keep and a secure hospital bed is $300,000 to keep," she said.
Western Australian shadow attorney-general John Quigley says people with the mental impairment should not be put in with general prison population.
"We have got a hopeless situation in WA, an absolutely hopeless situation. The justice situation in WA is falling apart," he said.
An accused person subject to the custody order comes under the control of West Australia's Mentally Impaired Accused Review Board (MIARB).
The board's chair, Justice Narelle Johnson, cannot speak about Noble's case, but she has been actively lobbying the State Government for the option of a declared place.
She says legislation does not have to be changed to make it happen.
"It is extremely frustrating because membership of the board exposes you to very, very sad cases," she said.
"Although these people may have done some very dangerous things, some of the people are people who are only in those situation because of things beyond their control.
"That is their intellectually impairment or their mental illness and it is something that all members of the board are very concerned about."
Justice Johnson says a declared place just needs political will.
"We think that these people should be protected and the community be protected but in the nicest way possible, so these people have a good quality of life," she said.
"I am not suggesting that they are not well cared for in prison but they are vulnerable people and it is not an optimum environment."
She says the MIARB is open to scrutiny.
"I think that if you went to a community member and said to them these are the circumstances, I am sure that they would be concerned," she said.
"But I think that it is just something that people just don't think about. The other thing too is that the community are entitled to be protected and they have an interest in ensuring that that board does its job appropriately and applies the criteria, which includes the safety of the community.
"So I don't think there is a huge community interest in the board. I have certainly not seen any signs of it, but it does not follow that the community don't care but they are entitled about their own welfare as well."
The West Australian Government, which also will not speak about Noble's case, is now viewing a declared place favourably.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says she will make custody orders a priority.
"I'm not finding it embarrassing. I'm finding it something I'm anxious to do some work on," she said.
"I've certainly had some discussions with the Attorney-General and the Minister for Corrective Services, the Director General for Disability Services has worked quite solidly now. I've asked him to pull together some option papers that we can consider and take through to Government for some consideration."
'International embarrassment
Supporters also want the legislation covering mentally impaired accused people amended so custody orders are not unlimited.
Labor wants Noble released now. Mr Quigley says Attorney-General Christian Porter should sign the release form today.
"The justice system in Western Australia is a disgrace to the good name in Western Australia and it brings to Australia international embarrassment and we need help," he said.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says she hopes to have an announcement soon.
"I understand there are around 11 people in prison at the moment who are intellectually disabled and are in similar circumstances and I'm a relatively new minister," she said.
"It's been brought to my attention about two months ago; I believe I'm taking the steps forwards that are necessary at the moment."
Noble has never had a hearing in court of the allegations, which means the case against him has never been tested. Now the alleged victims are coming forward to clear his name.
The alleged victims' mother spoke to ABC Radio yesterday.
"The girls are saying nothing ever happened, and that's all I thought when I heard he went to jail - that these fellas are going to be witnesses - and then I kind of heard later a bit later down the track about that nothing ever happened," she said.
The mother says she is still waiting for the police to talk to her about the allegations.
Noble just wants to be released.
"I'm bouncing off the walls - four corners, that corner, this corner and this square that corner and that corner and that corner and that's corner and going in straight in the middle ... I bounce that corner .. bang. Bounce against that," he said.
The West Australian Director of Public Prosecutions is reviewing Noble's case.
If it does lead to his release, his supporters say they will not stop until all accused people on custody orders have other options.
Bebés vão ser revistados nas visitas às prisões
Com a entrada em vigor do novo Regulamento Geral dos Estabelecimentos Prisionais, mudaram algumas regras nas prisões e uma das medidas é o aperto no controlo dos visitantes.Nota o Diário de Notícias que os guardas vão poder efectuar revista à roupa das crianças, incluindo as de colo. Vai haver também mais revistas por palpação para evitar entrada de drogas, armas brancas e telemóveis. O Ministério da Justiça (MJ) explicou que o regulamento será aplicável a todas as prisões e substitui os actuais 49 regulamentos internos dos vários estabelecimentos prisionais.
89 Indian prisoners set free by Pakistan
KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday set free 89 Indian fishermen as part of a process initiated by the two countries to speed up the release of people held in each other's prisons for inadvertently crossing land and maritime boundaries.
The freed Indians were now on their way to the border city of Lahore from where they would head home to India.
The superintendent of jail in Malir, Ghulam Qadir, said that the 89 fishermen were released and sent by two buses to the city of Lahore from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing.
The fishermen were released just two weeks after the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in Mohali on the sidelines of the World Cup semifinal match between the two countries.
Their release was a follow-up to a meeting of the interior and home secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi last month. Both countries had exchanged lists of prisoners during the meeting of the interior and home secretaries.
"The prisoners were released today and given some personal belongings, gifts and money to help them in their journey," Qadir said.
He said the fishermen were arrested from Pakistan's waters in violation of the maritime agreement between both countries over the last two years.
Qadir said hopefully the Indian fishermen would cross the Wagah border on Friday.
Nasir Aslam Zahid, chairman of the NGO Prisoners Welfare and Legal Aid Committee, told reporters that Pakistani authorities had granted consular access to another 33 Indian prisoners being held in Malir Jail.
They too will be released in the near future after the completion of certain formalities, he said.
"It is our endeavour to remove hurdles and delays in the release of detained fishermen on both sides of the border," Zahid said.
On April 11, India released 39 Pakistani prisoners. The two countries are scheduled to exchange complete lists of prisoners on July 1 under an agreement on consular access signed in May 2008.
The process of releasing prisoners, which suffered a setback in the wake of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, has picked up pace after the two countries recently agreed to resume their stalled peace process.
Pakistan and India frequently seize each other's fishermen, accusing them of violating their respective zones in the Arabian Sea.
Last year in September Pakistan released around 100 prisoners, including 80 fishermen jailed in Karachi.
The Indian prisoners released on Thursday were arrested between September 2009 and January last year, TV news channels reported.
source
The freed Indians were now on their way to the border city of Lahore from where they would head home to India.
The superintendent of jail in Malir, Ghulam Qadir, said that the 89 fishermen were released and sent by two buses to the city of Lahore from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing.
The fishermen were released just two weeks after the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met in Mohali on the sidelines of the World Cup semifinal match between the two countries.
Their release was a follow-up to a meeting of the interior and home secretaries of India and Pakistan in New Delhi last month. Both countries had exchanged lists of prisoners during the meeting of the interior and home secretaries.
"The prisoners were released today and given some personal belongings, gifts and money to help them in their journey," Qadir said.
He said the fishermen were arrested from Pakistan's waters in violation of the maritime agreement between both countries over the last two years.
Qadir said hopefully the Indian fishermen would cross the Wagah border on Friday.
Nasir Aslam Zahid, chairman of the NGO Prisoners Welfare and Legal Aid Committee, told reporters that Pakistani authorities had granted consular access to another 33 Indian prisoners being held in Malir Jail.
They too will be released in the near future after the completion of certain formalities, he said.
"It is our endeavour to remove hurdles and delays in the release of detained fishermen on both sides of the border," Zahid said.
On April 11, India released 39 Pakistani prisoners. The two countries are scheduled to exchange complete lists of prisoners on July 1 under an agreement on consular access signed in May 2008.
The process of releasing prisoners, which suffered a setback in the wake of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, has picked up pace after the two countries recently agreed to resume their stalled peace process.
Pakistan and India frequently seize each other's fishermen, accusing them of violating their respective zones in the Arabian Sea.
Last year in September Pakistan released around 100 prisoners, including 80 fishermen jailed in Karachi.
The Indian prisoners released on Thursday were arrested between September 2009 and January last year, TV news channels reported.
source
Moroccan King Pardons Prisoners
RABAT, Morocco--Morocco's Justice Ministry says the king has granted pardons or lightened sentences for 190 prisoners in response to a request from an official human rights body.
King Mohammed VI took the step as this country is seeing small-scale but regular protests by activists demanding greater democratic freedoms, amid demonstrations around the Arab world.
View Full ImageAgence France-Presse/Getty Images
Three activists for the independence of Western Sahara, Ali Salem Tamek (L), Ibrahim Dahhane (R) and Ahmed Naciri (C), who were detained for more than two years on charges of undermining Morocco's internal security, celebrate after being released from prison. Morocco's King Mohammed VI pardoned 190 detainees today, including Islamist political prisoners, on the advice of a rights council set up a month ago as the country undertakes reforms.
The ministry said in a statement carried by the MAP news agency that the king's decision meant 190 people had their sentences commuted, had death penalties converted to limited prison terms, or had prison terms reduced. The statement did not say what they were convicted for.
Independent activists have said suspects detained under Morocco's counterterrorism laws are routinely subjected to human rights violations.
King Mohammed VI took the step as this country is seeing small-scale but regular protests by activists demanding greater democratic freedoms, amid demonstrations around the Arab world.
View Full ImageAgence France-Presse/Getty Images
Three activists for the independence of Western Sahara, Ali Salem Tamek (L), Ibrahim Dahhane (R) and Ahmed Naciri (C), who were detained for more than two years on charges of undermining Morocco's internal security, celebrate after being released from prison. Morocco's King Mohammed VI pardoned 190 detainees today, including Islamist political prisoners, on the advice of a rights council set up a month ago as the country undertakes reforms.
The ministry said in a statement carried by the MAP news agency that the king's decision meant 190 people had their sentences commuted, had death penalties converted to limited prison terms, or had prison terms reduced. The statement did not say what they were convicted for.
Independent activists have said suspects detained under Morocco's counterterrorism laws are routinely subjected to human rights violations.
PHOTO:Sahara, Ali Salem Tamek (L), Ibrahim Dahhane (R) and Ahmed Naciri (C), who were detained for more than two years on charges of undermining Morocco's internal security, celebrate after being released from prison. Morocco's King Mohammed VI pardoned 190 detainees today, including Islamist political prisoners, on the advice of a rights council set up a month ago as the country undertakes reforms.
Prisões/Regulamento: Juízes temem que não seja exequível
Magistrados judiciais e do Ministério Público concordam que o regulamento das prisões, publicado em Diário da República na semana passada, traz uma uniformização ao nível dos procedimentos, mas duvidam da sua exequibilidade prática.
António Ventinha, do Sindicato dos Magistrados do Ministério Público (SMMP), salientou, em declarações à agência Lusa, que este é um regulamento de «extrema importância na relação da vida dos serviços prisionais e da definição do próprio estatuto do recluso», que agora «não vê o seu estatuto alterado conforme o estabelecimento prisional onde está».
Por seu lado, o juiz de execução de penas e membro da Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses (ASJP) José Quaresma concordou que este é um regulamento que traz «certeza e uniformidade nos critérios adotados que passam a ser comuns a todos os estabelecimentos».
Diário Digital / Lusa
António Ventinha, do Sindicato dos Magistrados do Ministério Público (SMMP), salientou, em declarações à agência Lusa, que este é um regulamento de «extrema importância na relação da vida dos serviços prisionais e da definição do próprio estatuto do recluso», que agora «não vê o seu estatuto alterado conforme o estabelecimento prisional onde está».
Por seu lado, o juiz de execução de penas e membro da Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses (ASJP) José Quaresma concordou que este é um regulamento que traz «certeza e uniformidade nos critérios adotados que passam a ser comuns a todos os estabelecimentos».
Diário Digital / Lusa
Novo regulamento substitui 49 regulamentos internos de prisões
O novo Regulamento Geral dos Estabelecimentos Prisionais foi publicado este mês em Diário da República, um ano após a entrada em vigor do novo Código de Execução de Penas. Pretende-se uma uniformização dos procedimentos nas cadeias portuguesas.O diploma estabelece as regras para o funcionamento das prisões e entrará em vigor dentro de 60 dias a partir da data de publicação, 11 de Abril.O Ministério da Justiça (MJ) explicou que o regulamento será aplicável a todas as prisões e substitui os actuais 49 regulamentos internos dos vários estabelecimentos prisionais. Com este diploma reúne-se num só documento matérias «actualmente muito dispersas por regulamentos, circulares e despachos, facilitando a sua consulta e conhecimento», diz o MJ.O decreto-lei estabelece procedimentos denteo das prisões mas também outros aspectos como a entrada, transferência e libertação dos presos, saídas e transporte, alojamento, vestuário, roupa de cama e higiene pessoal.
USA:Lessons on Change from Angola (the Prison, not the Country)
Volunteers have transformed Louisiana State Penitentiary lifers into responsible fathers. So why can't you get your team to adopt new software?
Every leader thinks his or her employees have some special reason to resist change. In one organization I worked with, the justification was long tenure: "You just can't change the behavior of 8,000 good ole boys who've been doing it one way for 27 years." In another, it was education: "I've got 450 PhDs who can intellectualize you into a coma." In one it was organizational trauma: "We'll be doing so much downsizing in coming months that no one will even pay attention—much less change."
I've heard it all.
Leader after leader lowers aspirations, believing employees have a highly evolved capacity to repel new ideas and habits.
For anyone who sympathizes with this modest view of influence, I invite you to join me on a trip to the toughest prison in the U.S.: Louisiana State Penitentiary, aka Angola. For many of the 5,000 inmates, who are serving average sentences of 93 years, Angola will be their last residence. All are violent offenders: murderers, rapists, and armed robbers. Since most have no hope of parole, there is little incentive for pretensions of personal reformation. Which makes Angola a unique testing ground.
That is why I was so taken with what has happened at Angola every May for the past five years.
Breaking a Cycle
Statistics tell the broader story. Jack Eggar and Lyndon Azcuna refused to accept that a father's prison sentence meant a cursed future for his children. Studies show that the 2.2 million children of inmates in the U.S. are seven times more likely to end up in prison. Eggar, president and chief executive of the religious organization Awana, which serves some 12,000 churches in the U.S., and Azcuna, director of the Awana Lifeline ministry, theorized that the best way to give these kids a fair shot at life was not to work around the "father problem" but rather to work through it. Rather than compensate for a bad dad by offering kids resources or mentoring through other agencies, they posited that transforming hardened felons into attentive fathers would turn these men's influence from net negative to positive.
And the early evidence suggests they're right. More than two-thirds of caregivers report that the 1,500 children who have participated in Awana's faith-based program, Malachi Dads, are significantly better behaved as a result of engaging with their fathers. Many fathers similarly report that while they are still locked up, they feel much different about themselves as parents. They find a way to change their children's lives while serving life sentences.
Eggar and Azcuna have incorporated an abundant amount of social-science brilliance into their strategy. They have engaged all six of the sources of influence that our research and book Change Anything (Business Plus, 2011) show make change 10 times more likely.
1. Personal Motivation. Like all great influencers, Eggar and Azcuna engage the heart before addressing the mind. They help inmates reform via a purpose—their children. Malachi Dad's proposition is powerful: "You may be locked up, but you don't have to be locked out. You can stop the curse of the fathers from passing to your children." They suggest the best way to alter your children's destiny is to change yourself and become the father you never had. While the invitation is a bit awkward and even painful, hundreds rise to the challenge and find immense meaning in that difficult self-reflection, because they're doing it for their kids.
2. Personal Ability. Eggar and Azcuna know even profound motivation is worthless unless accompanied by ability. Most of us think change is all about motivation. If criminals wanted to change badly enough, they would. And we couldn't be more wrong. Just talk to these men and you'll quickly discover they're clueless about what it means to be a father. Few ever had one. Most were abandoned or abused, and those who weren't were mentored in felony by their father figures.
For example, Malachi grad Keith Morse, who is in Angola for first-degree murder, met his father for the first time in Angola. Dad preceded him to prison by a decade.
Before fathers gets face-to-face contact with their children, Malachi Dads puts them through a rigorous 11-month training on fathering principles and skills. They participate in hands-on workshops. They work toward their GEDs. And by the time that first contact arrives, their capacity to relate to their children has expanded.
3. Social Motivation. Learning in Malachi Dads is a social process with lots of encouragement, accountability, and feedback. Dads are organized into "family groups" in which they hold discussions, read letters they write or receive from their kids, and learn new norms for their behavior. Accountability is strict: Skip a few sessions or otherwise slack off, and you're out. The group recitation of the "Malachi Dads Pledge" resets norms about fatherhood and reconnects individuals with the moral cause they've undertaken. It also leverages social support when these life-hardened men recite together the words: "As a Malachi Dad, I solemnly pledge to glorify God and build His Kingdom by prioritizing the raising of godly children, first in my family, then in the influencing of other men to do the same in theirs."
4. Social Ability. You can't pool ignorance, so peer tutoring from other inmates won't yield great results. Instead, Malachi Dads draws on mentoring from previous grads and hundreds of volunteer mentors from outside the prison.
5. Structural Motivation. Rewards help motivate the tough slog of the program. One reward graduates look forward to all year is the Returning Hearts Celebration—a full day to play, interact, and reconnect with their children in a well-supervised but remarkably free setting. It's the highlight of the year. And a big payoff for engagement.
6. Structural Ability. Like any good influence effort, Malachi Dads helps participants make bad behavior harder and good behavior easier by giving inmates cues, reminders, and tools in the form of books, charts, and self tests. The regularity of interaction with those who have similar aspirations also distances them from negative influences.
That's a rushed description of the details of the influence strategy at Angola—but it's all academic until you see it in flesh and blood. I defy you to remain a skeptic about the possibility of change after witnessing one of these days.
It's Returning Hearts Celebration day. After months of preparation, hundreds of inmates wait for buses to arrive. Daryl Waters, a muscle-bound, tattooed, 250-pound lifer serving a 95-year sentence for murder, helped prepare more than 1,000 pinewood blocks that fathers and kids will later shape into derby cars for the race at the end of the day. Three thousand hot dogs are waiting to be grilled. Four thousand hamburgers have been lovingly shaped. Chips, cookies, and colas serve as refreshments during the warm Louisiana day as these fathers take a shot at redefining their relationships with their children.
Waters is waiting nervously. His tormented life trained him to stand his ground in the most violent of confrontations. But nothing prepared him for the sweet vulnerability he feels as he waits to see his children. As the buses finally pull in, he drapes a towel over his head to shade his eyes. He watches one dad after another trot, then run, to embrace his children. His hands knead each other nervously. He's not sure whether his kids will actually show. And if they do, will they accept him? Will they count the minutes until they leave or enjoy him as he desperately hopes they will? His most potent fear is they'll stand him up and he'll have to wait another year to say what he's practiced saying for 11 months.
At last the bullhorn sounds. "Daryl Waters."
Intimate Conversations
He hasn't seen 15-year-old Dafius, 17-year-old Akenke, and 18-year-old Lacoya for more than a decade.
They look equal parts familiar and strange to him at a distance. But the announcement was clear. These are his children. With a total disregard for macho dignity he flies across the prison yard and sweeps his three children up in his arms. He is not the man he was when he entered Angola. His children sense it, too.
The day passes quickly. It's filled with carnival rides, games, and the big Derby race. But crucial to the day are intimate conversations that redefine relationships. "My children want affection, to be loved and hugged," Waters reports. "I have a daughter who is a phenomenal athlete. We are able to share some intimate moments and deep heart issues that we couldn't share at a regular visit."
On seeing his son, Waters is surprised to have to reach up to tousle his head. "Boy, you're getting taller." Then "How are you living?" Again and again he collapses into hugging them, repeating "I miss you. I love you. I miss you."
After a tearful parting, a Malachi dad reports, "I have now cultivated a relationship with my daughter. I didn't know I needed to have a relationship. The other day I asked her if she was mad at me. She said, 'I forgive you. I know you made a mistake, and it cost you.' I told her, 'I didn't make my choice over you. It had nothing to do with you. I am sorry.'"
Malachi Dads has now spread the program to 40 prisons in the U.S. Others are seeing similar results. Life and death sentences are overshadowed by an intelligent approach to influence. Dads are changing. Kids are changing. Who'd have thought?
Overcoming Recidivism
But Awana isn't the only group to have discovered that well-informed influence strategies yield remarkable change. Another faith-based program, called Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I.), sponsored by the Potter's House, started with the same assumption: Bad habits as well as good are functions of identifiable sources of influence. Change those sources of influence, and people can change. Even those the rest of the world casts off as hopeless.
T.O.R.I. helps a couple of hundred former felons per year create a plan to change their lives. They set aside the naïve assumption that a severe enough prison sentence suffices to help someone mend his ways. T.O.R.I. assumes recidivism is the predictable result of a lack of skill, mentoring, social support, accountability, and structure. They operate on the sound assumption that change requires many sources of influence.
Case in point: Roderick Crowe entered a Texas prison at age 21 as a high-ranking member of the Crips gang. After adolescing under the tutelage of that potent group, he spent 18 years in prison receiving additional guidance from his incarcerated colleagues. On his release, he received $50 and a bus ticket. It's easy to predict Roderick's future.
Given our shoddy approach to influence, it's no surprise two out of three people like Roderick find themselves back in prison within three years. In fact, we should be shocked the number isn't higher.
With a complete view of human change, T.O.R.I. is beating those odds. Recidivism plummets with a little help with skills, guidance, structure, accountability, and encouragement. Recidivism for graduates of T.O.R.I.'s 12-month program hovers in the 8 percent range.
Luckily, Roderick was a T.O.R.I. grad, and instead of living the fate you assumed, he is happily employed, reconnected with his children and grandchildren, and living in a nice three-bedroom home. Something he, and the rest of the world, never thought he could do.
Can you really change everything that needs changing? Probably not. But you can change a lot more than most of us think. Angola hasn't just produced individual change. It has changed an institution. As a result of the efforts of a remarkable warden and through programs like Malachi Dads, it is now among the safest prisons in the U.S.
If change can happen at Angola, maybe there is hope for more mundane challenges, such as getting employees to use new performance management software. Perhaps the problem lies not in our people but in our model for change.
Joseph Grenny is co-author of three New York Times bestsellers: Influencer, Crucial Conversations, and Crucial Confrontations. His new book, Change Anything, made its debut in April 2011.Grenny is a consultant to corporations and co-founder of VitalSmarts, a firm that specializes in corporate training and organizational performance.
source
Every leader thinks his or her employees have some special reason to resist change. In one organization I worked with, the justification was long tenure: "You just can't change the behavior of 8,000 good ole boys who've been doing it one way for 27 years." In another, it was education: "I've got 450 PhDs who can intellectualize you into a coma." In one it was organizational trauma: "We'll be doing so much downsizing in coming months that no one will even pay attention—much less change."
I've heard it all.
Leader after leader lowers aspirations, believing employees have a highly evolved capacity to repel new ideas and habits.
For anyone who sympathizes with this modest view of influence, I invite you to join me on a trip to the toughest prison in the U.S.: Louisiana State Penitentiary, aka Angola. For many of the 5,000 inmates, who are serving average sentences of 93 years, Angola will be their last residence. All are violent offenders: murderers, rapists, and armed robbers. Since most have no hope of parole, there is little incentive for pretensions of personal reformation. Which makes Angola a unique testing ground.
That is why I was so taken with what has happened at Angola every May for the past five years.
Breaking a Cycle
Statistics tell the broader story. Jack Eggar and Lyndon Azcuna refused to accept that a father's prison sentence meant a cursed future for his children. Studies show that the 2.2 million children of inmates in the U.S. are seven times more likely to end up in prison. Eggar, president and chief executive of the religious organization Awana, which serves some 12,000 churches in the U.S., and Azcuna, director of the Awana Lifeline ministry, theorized that the best way to give these kids a fair shot at life was not to work around the "father problem" but rather to work through it. Rather than compensate for a bad dad by offering kids resources or mentoring through other agencies, they posited that transforming hardened felons into attentive fathers would turn these men's influence from net negative to positive.
And the early evidence suggests they're right. More than two-thirds of caregivers report that the 1,500 children who have participated in Awana's faith-based program, Malachi Dads, are significantly better behaved as a result of engaging with their fathers. Many fathers similarly report that while they are still locked up, they feel much different about themselves as parents. They find a way to change their children's lives while serving life sentences.
Eggar and Azcuna have incorporated an abundant amount of social-science brilliance into their strategy. They have engaged all six of the sources of influence that our research and book Change Anything (Business Plus, 2011) show make change 10 times more likely.
1. Personal Motivation. Like all great influencers, Eggar and Azcuna engage the heart before addressing the mind. They help inmates reform via a purpose—their children. Malachi Dad's proposition is powerful: "You may be locked up, but you don't have to be locked out. You can stop the curse of the fathers from passing to your children." They suggest the best way to alter your children's destiny is to change yourself and become the father you never had. While the invitation is a bit awkward and even painful, hundreds rise to the challenge and find immense meaning in that difficult self-reflection, because they're doing it for their kids.
2. Personal Ability. Eggar and Azcuna know even profound motivation is worthless unless accompanied by ability. Most of us think change is all about motivation. If criminals wanted to change badly enough, they would. And we couldn't be more wrong. Just talk to these men and you'll quickly discover they're clueless about what it means to be a father. Few ever had one. Most were abandoned or abused, and those who weren't were mentored in felony by their father figures.
For example, Malachi grad Keith Morse, who is in Angola for first-degree murder, met his father for the first time in Angola. Dad preceded him to prison by a decade.
Before fathers gets face-to-face contact with their children, Malachi Dads puts them through a rigorous 11-month training on fathering principles and skills. They participate in hands-on workshops. They work toward their GEDs. And by the time that first contact arrives, their capacity to relate to their children has expanded.
3. Social Motivation. Learning in Malachi Dads is a social process with lots of encouragement, accountability, and feedback. Dads are organized into "family groups" in which they hold discussions, read letters they write or receive from their kids, and learn new norms for their behavior. Accountability is strict: Skip a few sessions or otherwise slack off, and you're out. The group recitation of the "Malachi Dads Pledge" resets norms about fatherhood and reconnects individuals with the moral cause they've undertaken. It also leverages social support when these life-hardened men recite together the words: "As a Malachi Dad, I solemnly pledge to glorify God and build His Kingdom by prioritizing the raising of godly children, first in my family, then in the influencing of other men to do the same in theirs."
4. Social Ability. You can't pool ignorance, so peer tutoring from other inmates won't yield great results. Instead, Malachi Dads draws on mentoring from previous grads and hundreds of volunteer mentors from outside the prison.
5. Structural Motivation. Rewards help motivate the tough slog of the program. One reward graduates look forward to all year is the Returning Hearts Celebration—a full day to play, interact, and reconnect with their children in a well-supervised but remarkably free setting. It's the highlight of the year. And a big payoff for engagement.
6. Structural Ability. Like any good influence effort, Malachi Dads helps participants make bad behavior harder and good behavior easier by giving inmates cues, reminders, and tools in the form of books, charts, and self tests. The regularity of interaction with those who have similar aspirations also distances them from negative influences.
That's a rushed description of the details of the influence strategy at Angola—but it's all academic until you see it in flesh and blood. I defy you to remain a skeptic about the possibility of change after witnessing one of these days.
It's Returning Hearts Celebration day. After months of preparation, hundreds of inmates wait for buses to arrive. Daryl Waters, a muscle-bound, tattooed, 250-pound lifer serving a 95-year sentence for murder, helped prepare more than 1,000 pinewood blocks that fathers and kids will later shape into derby cars for the race at the end of the day. Three thousand hot dogs are waiting to be grilled. Four thousand hamburgers have been lovingly shaped. Chips, cookies, and colas serve as refreshments during the warm Louisiana day as these fathers take a shot at redefining their relationships with their children.
Waters is waiting nervously. His tormented life trained him to stand his ground in the most violent of confrontations. But nothing prepared him for the sweet vulnerability he feels as he waits to see his children. As the buses finally pull in, he drapes a towel over his head to shade his eyes. He watches one dad after another trot, then run, to embrace his children. His hands knead each other nervously. He's not sure whether his kids will actually show. And if they do, will they accept him? Will they count the minutes until they leave or enjoy him as he desperately hopes they will? His most potent fear is they'll stand him up and he'll have to wait another year to say what he's practiced saying for 11 months.
At last the bullhorn sounds. "Daryl Waters."
Intimate Conversations
He hasn't seen 15-year-old Dafius, 17-year-old Akenke, and 18-year-old Lacoya for more than a decade.
They look equal parts familiar and strange to him at a distance. But the announcement was clear. These are his children. With a total disregard for macho dignity he flies across the prison yard and sweeps his three children up in his arms. He is not the man he was when he entered Angola. His children sense it, too.
The day passes quickly. It's filled with carnival rides, games, and the big Derby race. But crucial to the day are intimate conversations that redefine relationships. "My children want affection, to be loved and hugged," Waters reports. "I have a daughter who is a phenomenal athlete. We are able to share some intimate moments and deep heart issues that we couldn't share at a regular visit."
On seeing his son, Waters is surprised to have to reach up to tousle his head. "Boy, you're getting taller." Then "How are you living?" Again and again he collapses into hugging them, repeating "I miss you. I love you. I miss you."
After a tearful parting, a Malachi dad reports, "I have now cultivated a relationship with my daughter. I didn't know I needed to have a relationship. The other day I asked her if she was mad at me. She said, 'I forgive you. I know you made a mistake, and it cost you.' I told her, 'I didn't make my choice over you. It had nothing to do with you. I am sorry.'"
Malachi Dads has now spread the program to 40 prisons in the U.S. Others are seeing similar results. Life and death sentences are overshadowed by an intelligent approach to influence. Dads are changing. Kids are changing. Who'd have thought?
Overcoming Recidivism
But Awana isn't the only group to have discovered that well-informed influence strategies yield remarkable change. Another faith-based program, called Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I.), sponsored by the Potter's House, started with the same assumption: Bad habits as well as good are functions of identifiable sources of influence. Change those sources of influence, and people can change. Even those the rest of the world casts off as hopeless.
T.O.R.I. helps a couple of hundred former felons per year create a plan to change their lives. They set aside the naïve assumption that a severe enough prison sentence suffices to help someone mend his ways. T.O.R.I. assumes recidivism is the predictable result of a lack of skill, mentoring, social support, accountability, and structure. They operate on the sound assumption that change requires many sources of influence.
Case in point: Roderick Crowe entered a Texas prison at age 21 as a high-ranking member of the Crips gang. After adolescing under the tutelage of that potent group, he spent 18 years in prison receiving additional guidance from his incarcerated colleagues. On his release, he received $50 and a bus ticket. It's easy to predict Roderick's future.
Given our shoddy approach to influence, it's no surprise two out of three people like Roderick find themselves back in prison within three years. In fact, we should be shocked the number isn't higher.
With a complete view of human change, T.O.R.I. is beating those odds. Recidivism plummets with a little help with skills, guidance, structure, accountability, and encouragement. Recidivism for graduates of T.O.R.I.'s 12-month program hovers in the 8 percent range.
Luckily, Roderick was a T.O.R.I. grad, and instead of living the fate you assumed, he is happily employed, reconnected with his children and grandchildren, and living in a nice three-bedroom home. Something he, and the rest of the world, never thought he could do.
Can you really change everything that needs changing? Probably not. But you can change a lot more than most of us think. Angola hasn't just produced individual change. It has changed an institution. As a result of the efforts of a remarkable warden and through programs like Malachi Dads, it is now among the safest prisons in the U.S.
If change can happen at Angola, maybe there is hope for more mundane challenges, such as getting employees to use new performance management software. Perhaps the problem lies not in our people but in our model for change.
Joseph Grenny is co-author of three New York Times bestsellers: Influencer, Crucial Conversations, and Crucial Confrontations. His new book, Change Anything, made its debut in April 2011.Grenny is a consultant to corporations and co-founder of VitalSmarts, a firm that specializes in corporate training and organizational performance.
source
ANGOLA:Propostas medidas alternativas à prisão
Superlotação nas cadeias está a preocupar a direcção do Ministério do Interior que estuda novas medidas para resolver o problema
O ministro do Interior disse, na terça-feira, no Sumbe, ser urgente a criação de opções à reclusão, como forma de contribuir para a fluidez da administração da Justiça.Sebastião Martins referiu como exemplo das opções à pena de prisão, o trabalho para a comunidade ou multas. O ministro mencionou também o recurso às pulseiras electrónicas como forma de evitar alguns casos de prisão preventiva.Ao intervir na cerimónia de abertura do ano judicial 2011, Sebastião Martins assegurou que o Ministério do Interior vai continuar com as acções de humanização do sistema prisional para a ressocialização dos reclusos e a sua efectiva reintegração. Resolução do problema da super lotação das cadeias, reforço da assistência médica e medicamentosa, formação, educação e integração socioprodutiva da população foram apontadas como prioridades.O ministro lembrou os esforços feitos para acabar com a super lotação nas cadeias, mas admitiu serem ainda insuficientes para resolverem o problema.Sebastião Martins referiu as obras em curso nos estabelecimentos prisionais cidade do Sumbe, Huíla, em Saurimo, Viana, Cacuso (Malange), Capolo (Bié), e Menongue. “Temos consciência que é fundamental alcançar este objectivo para que deixemos de ter investimento concentrado na quantidade e possamos investir na qualidade, desafio a que nos propusemos e que seguramente venceremos”, acrescentou.Recentemente, numa mensagem de felicitação em alusão ao aniversário dos Serviços Prisionais, o ministro do Interior pediu aos efectivos do órgão a manterem a defesa dos interesses da classe, cumprir com zelo as atribuições superiormente emanadas e nunca esquecer o respeito pela integridade física e moral dos reclusos.Na mensagem,Sebastião Martins afirmou que essa postura implica que, ao se promover a ressocialização, deve-se dar tratamento digno ao indivíduo, através de processos socioeducativos e outros afins, para garantir a verdadeira inserção do mesmo na sociedade, depois deste cumprir a sua pena. No documento, o minstro informa que pretende melhorar substancialmente as condições de trabalho e de acomodação do efectivo dos Serviços Prisionais e de toda a população penal.Esta intenção, sublinha a mensagem, é provada com o investimento em infra-estruturas para atingir as performances exigíveis ao bom funcionamento do órgão. “Deveis, pois, abraçar este e outros desafios, cientes do compromisso assumido com a instituição que servem”, apelou o ministro Sebastião Martins, na sua mensagem.
O ministro do Interior disse, na terça-feira, no Sumbe, ser urgente a criação de opções à reclusão, como forma de contribuir para a fluidez da administração da Justiça.Sebastião Martins referiu como exemplo das opções à pena de prisão, o trabalho para a comunidade ou multas. O ministro mencionou também o recurso às pulseiras electrónicas como forma de evitar alguns casos de prisão preventiva.Ao intervir na cerimónia de abertura do ano judicial 2011, Sebastião Martins assegurou que o Ministério do Interior vai continuar com as acções de humanização do sistema prisional para a ressocialização dos reclusos e a sua efectiva reintegração. Resolução do problema da super lotação das cadeias, reforço da assistência médica e medicamentosa, formação, educação e integração socioprodutiva da população foram apontadas como prioridades.O ministro lembrou os esforços feitos para acabar com a super lotação nas cadeias, mas admitiu serem ainda insuficientes para resolverem o problema.Sebastião Martins referiu as obras em curso nos estabelecimentos prisionais cidade do Sumbe, Huíla, em Saurimo, Viana, Cacuso (Malange), Capolo (Bié), e Menongue. “Temos consciência que é fundamental alcançar este objectivo para que deixemos de ter investimento concentrado na quantidade e possamos investir na qualidade, desafio a que nos propusemos e que seguramente venceremos”, acrescentou.Recentemente, numa mensagem de felicitação em alusão ao aniversário dos Serviços Prisionais, o ministro do Interior pediu aos efectivos do órgão a manterem a defesa dos interesses da classe, cumprir com zelo as atribuições superiormente emanadas e nunca esquecer o respeito pela integridade física e moral dos reclusos.Na mensagem,Sebastião Martins afirmou que essa postura implica que, ao se promover a ressocialização, deve-se dar tratamento digno ao indivíduo, através de processos socioeducativos e outros afins, para garantir a verdadeira inserção do mesmo na sociedade, depois deste cumprir a sua pena. No documento, o minstro informa que pretende melhorar substancialmente as condições de trabalho e de acomodação do efectivo dos Serviços Prisionais e de toda a população penal.Esta intenção, sublinha a mensagem, é provada com o investimento em infra-estruturas para atingir as performances exigíveis ao bom funcionamento do órgão. “Deveis, pois, abraçar este e outros desafios, cientes do compromisso assumido com a instituição que servem”, apelou o ministro Sebastião Martins, na sua mensagem.
sexta-feira, 15 de abril de 2011
BRASIL:Justiça Restaurativa será tema de palestra
A Secretaria da Juventude (Sejuv) vai promover amanhã, das 14h às 18h, uma palestra sobre Justiça Restaurativa -uma prática que utiliza estratégias de mediação e conciliação para a resolução de conflitos. Direcionado aos diretores e coordenadores das escolas públicas de Sorocaba, o evento é gratuito e vai acontecer no auditório da Fundação Ubaldino do Amaral (FUA), no Alto da Boa Vista. O objetivo do evento é levar o tema "Justiça Restaurativa" para as escolas públicas da cidade, criando a oportunidade de reflexão e discussão do assunto. Os palestrantes serão Antônio Carlos Malheiros, desembargador do Tribunal de Justiça e coordenador das Varas da Infância e Juventude do Tribunal, e Egberto de Almeida Penido, juiz titular da 1ª Vara da Infância e Juventude do Fórum da Capital e coordenador da implantação da Justiça Restaurativa no Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo. fonte
terça-feira, 12 de abril de 2011
Training Teachers and Instructors to Teach in Prisons/Detention Centres
(ref: MT-2011-568-001) A five day training course for Adult education providers, Teachers, Directors of prisons/detention centres, Directors of Prison Education centre, Prison officers, Education Policy Makers, Researchers in Education in Prisons. The European Prison Education Association (EPEA) – MALTA Branch is organising a five day course on the Training of Teachers to Teach in Prisons and Detention Centres. The course will be held between the 19th and the 23rd t September 2011. If you are interested in attend the course you may apply for 100% funding through a Grundtvig In-Service Training Courses Grant. In order to do this you have to:a) Obtaining more detailed information about this course from the following web link: http://ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/index.cfm?fuseaction=DisplayCourse&cid=28549b) Visit the web page of your Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) National Agency, and download an application form that you must hand in to the National Agency before the end of April. A list of National agencies can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc1208_en.htmc) Write to us for a letter of acceptance as soon as possible. You need to hand this in with your application.We appreciate if you could share this information about the course with your colleagues who might be interested in attending the course. The full programme for the event is attached If you need more information please contact: Dr. Joseph Giordmaina e-mail: joseph.giordmaina@um.edu.mt tel: +356 9945 0128 Dr. Anthony Vella e-mail: anthony.vella@um.edu.mt tel: +356 7905 8050EPEA web-page: http://epeamalta.wordpress.com
Regulamento das prisões entra em vigor dentro de 60 dias
Um ano após a entrada em vigor do Código da Execução das Penas, foi publicado hoje em Diário da República o Regulamento Geral dos Estabelecimentos Prisionais, um "atraso intolerável" para juízes e magistrados do Ministério Público. O diploma, que regulamenta o Código da Execução das Penas e Medidas Privativas da Liberdade, estabelece as regras para o funcionamento das prisões e entrará em vigor dentro de 60 dias. Em comunicado, o Ministério da Justiça (MJ) adianta que o regulamento será aplicável a todas as prisões e “vem substituir os atuais 49 regulamentos internos dos vários estabelecimentos prisionais, bem como numerosas circulares e despachos internos dos serviços prisionais”. “Com este diploma reúne-se num só documento matérias atualmente muito dispersas por regulamentos, circulares e despachos, facilitando a sua consulta e conhecimento”, acrescenta o MJ. O decreto-lei hoje publicado estabelece procedimentos nas prisões como a entrada, transferência e libertação dos presos, saídas e transporte, alojamento, vestuário, roupa de cama e higiene pessoal. fonte
Tribunais «à beira da ruptura»
Juízes e magistrados do Ministério Público denunciam «atraso» da regulamentação do Código de Execução de Penas.
Artigo actualizado às 13h03Juízes e magistrados do Ministério Público denunciam o «atraso intolerável» da regulamentação do Código de Execução de Penas (CEP), em vigor há um ano, e alertam que os Tribunais de Execução de Penas estão «à beira da ruptura» por falta de quadros, escreve a Lusa.Para o juiz José Quaresma, da Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses, o CEP condensou e sistematizou a legislação penitenciária, sendo mais «garantístico quanto à impugnabilidade das decisões». É assim um diploma «moderno» que mantém a aposta na «ressocialização enquanto finalidade do sistema penitenciário».No entanto, «uma boa ideia pode perder-se por falhas na sua implementação», salientou, considerando que «aqui, sem dúvida, falhou-se». As «dificuldades operativas» sentidas pela administração penitenciária e pela Direcção-Geral dos Serviços Prisionais e o «atraso intolerável» na regulamentação do diploma (há dezenas de remissões no CEP para o regulamento) comprometem, para o magistrado, o sucesso do novo código.José Quaresma aludiu ainda à manutenção dos quadros de magistrados e de funcionários dos Tribunais de Execução de Penas (TEP) apesar do aumento do volume de trabalho (mitigada, nalguns casos, pela colocação pontual de auxiliares por iniciativa do Conselho Superior da Magistratura). O CEP criou novas competências aos TEP e alargou-lhes as que já tinha. O juiz deu o exemplo das apreciações da liberdade condicional: antes, o caso de um recluso poderia ser apreciado duas vezes durante o cumprimento da pena, enquanto que com o novo código isso poderá acontecer quatro a cinco vezes, implicando, cada uma, a realização de Conselho Técnico, a deslocação dos magistrados à prisão e uma audição formal do preso. «Se somarmos, só neste tipo de processo, o número de reclusos e multiplicarmos pelo número de apreciações, teremos uma ideia do reflexo das alterações no volume de serviço, a que se junta uma nova gama de atribuições, como a libertação e extinção de todas as penas de prisão e sempre em processos de natureza urgente», destacou.Assim, com o mesmo quadro de funcionários, já antes deficitário, o juiz entende que o TEP fica «à beira da ruptura por insuficiência dos quadros».Na opinião de António Ventinhas, do Sindicato dos Magistrados do Ministério Público, «a intervenção do Ministério Público aumentou exponencialmente desde a entrada em vigor do novo código, mas tal acréscimo de trabalho não foi acompanhado com o necessário aumento de quadros de funcionários e magistrados do MP».O procurador advertiu ainda que o CEP «não se encontra bem articulado com o Código do Processo Penal» e que o Regulamento Geral dos Estabelecimentos Prisionais (RGEP) ainda não foi aprovado, o que dificulta a sua aplicação.«Face aos diferentes entendimentos jurídicos resultantes da interpretação do novo código, existem muitos conflitos de competência entre os TEP e os tribunais de comarca», acrescentou.O Código da Execução das Penas e Medidas Privativas da Liberdade entrou em vigor em Abril de 2010, substituindo a Lei de Execução das Penas de 1979. O Ministério da Justiça revelou à Lusa que o RGEP está aprovado e será publicado nos próximos dias.Num comunicado enviado à comunicação social o Ministério da Justiça fez saber que um ano após a entrada em vigor do Código da Execução das Penas, foi publicado hoje em Diário da República o Regulamento Geral dos Estabelecimentos Prisionais.O comunicado diz ainda que o regulamento será aplicável a todas as prisões e «vem substituir os actuais 49 regulamentos internos dos vários estabelecimentos prisionais, bem como numerosas circulares e despachos internos dos serviços prisionais».«Com este diploma reúne-se num só documento matérias atualmente muito dispersas por regulamentos, circulares e despachos, facilitando a sua consulta e conhecimento», acrescenta o MJ.
BRASIL:Operadores se mobilizam pela fiscalização de prisões
Operadores do Direito se mobilizaram, nesta semana, para que os deputados estaduais fluminenses aprovem resolução que cria seis cargos para atuar em órgão ligado ao Poder Legislativo e responsável pela fiscalização de presídios, carceragens e manicômios judiciais. A Lei estadual que cria o mecanismo de controle já foi criada, aprovada e sancionada. Os membros do órgão já foram escolhidos e aguardam a aprovação da resolução pela mesa diretora da Assembleia Legislativa do Rio de Janeiro para começarem os trabalhos. A Lei 5.778, de 30 de junho de 2010, instituiu o Comitê Estadual para Prevenção e Combate à Tortura do Rio, além de um mecanismo, formado por seis pessoas da sociedade civil, que vão fiscalizar os estabelecimentos em que pessoas cumprem medidas de privação de liberdade. Pela lei, esse mecanismo permitirá aos membros que o compõem fazer visitas periódicas e regulares aos locais onde pessoas se encontram presas. A lei, de autoria dos deputados Marcelo Freixo, Luiz Paulo e Jorge Picciani, também estabelece que os membros terão acesso livre a informações e registros referentes aos presos, às condições em que se encontram, a todos os locais das unidades prisionais, independente de aviso prévio, além de poder entrevistar, reservadamente, os detentos. Os membros do mecanismo também ficarão encarregados de criar e manter um banco de dados com denúncias criminais, sentenças e acórdãos condenatórios ou absolutórios relacionados com a prática de tortura no Rio. Outra atribuição prevista na lei é "emitir opiniões, pareceres, recomendações e propostas sobre projetos de lei e reformas constitucionais, assim como sugerir a aprovação, modificação ou derrogação de normas do ordenamento jurídico estadual para a Mesa Diretora" da Alerj. Para que o mecanismo comece a funcionar, a Assembleia precisará aprovar o projeto de Resolução 83/2011, que cria os seis cargos. Operadores de Direito, entre eles Leonardo Rosa, da Defensoria Pública, o procurador de Justiça Leonardo Chaves, o juiz Rubens Casara, da Associação de Juízes para a Democracia, a secretária Camila Ribeiro, da Comissão de Direitos Humanos da OAB do Rio e o assessor jurídico da ONG Defensores dos Direitos Humanos Rafael Tristão foram à Alerj tentar mobilizar deputados para a votação e aprovação da resolução. Segundo os autores do projeto, o mecanismo pretende prevenir e combater uma prática que ainda persiste no estado. Tortura em delegaciaNesta semana, conforme noticiou a ConJur, o Ministério Público do Estado pediu a prisão temporária de cinco policiais civis acusados de torturar funcionário de um ferro velho na tentativa de que ele incriminasse seu patrão por receptação de carros roubados. A prisão foi decretada na terça-feira (5/4). De acordo com a vítima e seu advogado, Rodrigo Ferreira Mendonça, embora o ferro velho esteja localizado na Região dos Lagos, o crime teria ocorrido dentro da 10ª Delegacia Policial, no bairro de Botafogo, na Zona Sul da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Segundo a acusação, o funcionário foi pego no seu local de trabalho pelos policiais que foram atrás do dono do negócio e não o encontraram. Comunicado do fato, Mendonça compareceu à delegacia, mas diz ter sido impedido de falar com seu cliente, mesmo tendo reclamado da arbitrariedade de se ouvir uma pessoa sem a presença do seu advogado. Na terça (5/4), o juiz Luciano Silva Barreto, da 9ª Vara Criminal do Rio de Janeiro, decretou a prisão temporária dos policiais pelo prazo de 15 dias. Ele afirmou que a prisão temporária é imprescindível para a conclusão das investigações. Barreto disse, aidna, que "havendo periculum libertatis, com risco efetivo de frustração da aquisição de provas causada pelo suposto infrator, o direito de liberdade do cidadão deve ceder ao interesse punitivo do corpo social". FONTE
INDIA:India to release Pakistan prisoners next week
Twentynine Pakistani prisoners and some fishermen lodged in Indian jails will be released by the government by April 15. In a similar gesture, Islamabad is expected to release nearly 100 Indian fishermen, who were arrested on different occasions for violating Pakistan’s maritime boundary. The step by both sides is a follow up to the recently concluded Home Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan and an attempt to give a fresh impetus to their bilateral relations. “We have decided to release those prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences,” a government official said. A complete list of all prisoners serving in each others’ custody will be exchanged by both sides on July 1. At the Home Secretary-level meeting, India and Pakistan had agreed that the problem and issues of the inadvertent crossers should be viewed sympathetically, and in a focused and sensitive manner. The Coast Guard of India and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) will soon jointly work on setting up a mechanism for release of fishermen, who inadvertently cross the maritime boundary, and their boats on the same lines as those who unknowingly do the same on land. There is a proposal to let off first-time offenders after warning them and taking their photographs and fingerprints. However, a decision in this regard is yet to be taken. Last Thursday, Pakistani authorities arrested 10 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country’s maritime boundary and also seized three boats. A total of 61 Indian fishermen were arrested by the PMSA for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters last month. On April 7, Gopal Dass, who spent 27 years in a Pakistani jail after being convicted on charges of spying, returned home after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari remitted his sentence on humanitarian grounds following an appeal by the Indian Supreme Court. Islamabad had recently repatriated 12 Indian prisoners, including 11 fishermen who had been held in a jail in Karachi for nearly three years even after completing their prison terms. Another 442 Indian fishermen were freed last year after two Pakistani NGOs petitioned the Supreme Court for their release. Pakistan and India arrest dozens of fishermen every year for violating their maritime boundary. Many of them languish in prison for years even after completing jail terms given to them. SOURCE
BRASIL:Seminário Justiça Juvenil Restaurativa na Comunidade
O Projeto Justiça Juvenil Restaurativa na Comunidade realizará um Seminário de Abertura do ano de 2011 nas comunidades da Lomba do Pinheiro e da Bom Jesus. O seminário abordará os temas “Ética do encontro como fundamentos da Justiça Restaurativa”, “ Relato de Procedimentos Restaurativos” e a apresentação da “Pesquisa Qualitativa e vocalização da experiência da juventude com violências e Justiça Restaurativa”, além de momentos destinados a interação dos palestrantes com o público. O evento ocorrerá na comunidade da Lomba do Pinheiro no dia 02 de maio a partir das 8h30min, no auditório do Centro de Promoção da Criança e do Adolescente. Na comunidade da Bom Jesus ocorrerá no dia 03 de maio, a partir das 8h30min, no auditório da Escola Antão de Faria. Inscrições e informações: Central de Práticas Restaurativas Lomba do Pinheiro com Daiane e Valquíria pelos e-mails coordenadord@justica21.org.br, ou coordenadorc@justica21.org.br, e pelo telefone: 3319 1001 ramal 21, no horário das 8h às 12h e das 13h30min ás 17h. Central de Práticas Restaurativas Bom Jesus com Simone e Lise pelos e-mails coordenadors@justica21.org.br, ou coordenadorl@justica21.org.br, e pelos telefones: 91675413 e 92286620, no horário das 8h às 12h e das 13h30min ás 17h. As inscrições são gratuitas! Vagas Limitadas! FONTE
USA:Better Protecting Prisoners
The Justice Department is finalizing new rape-prevention policies that will become mandatory for federal prisons and state correctional institutions that receive federal money. The rules, based on recommendations from a Congressionally mandated commission, would be a major improvement. But the department needs to remedy several weaknesses before it issues final regulations. Rape and other forms of sexual abuse by fellow inmates or correctional officers are a chronic hazard in prisons, jails and juvenile facilities across the country. According to federal estimates, 200,000 adult prisoners and jail inmates suffered some form of sexual abuse during 2008. That works out to about 4.4 percent of the prison population and 3.1 percent of the jail population. The numbers are even higher in juvenile institutions, with 12 percent of the total population suffering some form of sexual abuse. Statistics showing that some institutions have higher rates of assault than others are consistent with the finding of the rape commission, which reported that some prisons had successfully created an atmosphere of safety while others tacitly tolerated assaults. The commission came up with a long and compelling list of rape prevention recommendations, most of which have been adopted by the Justice Department. It is demanding a zero-tolerance approach to rape behind bars and will require better training of staff members, more effective ways to report assaults, more thorough investigations and better medical and psychiatric services for victims. In perhaps the most revolutionary development, prisons would be required to make sexual assault data public so policy makers could get a clear view of how well or how poorly vulnerable inmates were being protected. Still, there are problems with the Justice Department’s approach. The decision to exclude immigration detention centers holding noncitizens goes against the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, which defined a prison as any confinement facility administered by federal, state or local government. Victims of sexual assault are often too traumatized to immediately speak out. So the provision permitting prisons systems to invalidate most complaints not lodged within 20 days seems arbitrary. Complaints should be taken seriously whenever they are reported. The department has obviously done the right thing by limiting cross-gender strip searches to emergency situations. But it should also set a goal of ending cross-gender pat-down searches. Finally, the Justice Department needs to adopt the commission’s call for regularly scheduled, independent audits of prison rape prevention programs. That is the only sure way to know whether they are obeying the law. source
IRAN:Iranian political prisoners denied visitation rights
Iranian opposition groups report that Tehran's prosecutor has cut off visitation rights for political prisoners specified in a lsit by interrogators at the intelligence ministry.
Kaleme website reports the ministry provided a list of political prisoners in Evin and Rejaishahr Prisons. Some prisoners have reportedly been completely denied any visiting rights, while others are being allowed one visit every few months. The Islamic Republic government arrested thousands of people after the controversial re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triggered mass demonstrations, with the opposition claiming the vote was rigged. Many of these prisoners were accused of "activities against national security and propaganda against the regime" and have received harsh sentences. Most of these prisoners were also denied the leave customarily allotted to prisoners during Norooz, the start of the Iranian New Year. Iranian judiciary officials deny having any political detainees and refer to these inmates as "security prisoners." Tehran's prosecutor has previously said prison furloughs are only for those who have moved toward "repentance and the reform of their ways."
BRASIL:Relatório denuncia que polícia brasileira comete abusos e torturas
A polícia brasileira abusa da violência, comete tortura e não protege testemunhas de processos criminais, segundo o relatório sobre direitos humanos, divulgado hoje pelo Departamento de Estado norte-americano.
Na lista de transgressões cometidas no ano passado por entidades de segurança no Brasil, estão igualmente as "condições deploráveis" das prisões e ações que "fogem ao controlo" das autoridades. Segundo o relatório, que será encaminhado ao Congresso norte-americano, "as forças de segurança dos estados têm cometido numerosos abusos de direitos humanos". A lista de violações aos direitos humanos inclui ainda a "relutância em processar e a ineficiência do julgamento de funcionários públicos acusados de corrupção, a discriminação contra mulheres, a violência contra crianças, incluindo o abuso sexual". O relatório salientou a discriminação contra as minorias indígenas, "grandes falhas na aplicação das leis laborais, o trabalho escravo e o trabalho infantil no setor informal" da economia. Segundo o Departamento de Estado, quem comete abuso contra os direitos humanos "frequentemente goza de impunidade", há "penas prolongadas de detenção" e o adiamento injustificado de julgamentos. O Governo federal e seus agentes "não cometeram assassínios por motivos políticos, mas os assassínios perpetrados pela polícia dos estados foram generalizados, em particular nos estados de São Paulo e do Rio de Janeiro", refere ainda o relatório. Em muitos casos, "os agentes policiais empregaram força letal, indiscriminada, nas detenções, e noutros casos morreram civis depois de maus-tratos ou de tortura nas mãos de agentes policiais". O relatório sublinhou que a política de pacificação de favelas, no Rio de Janeiro, significou uma "redução da violência em 12 comunidades, mas a polícia continua a depender de métodos repressivos". No ano passado, a polícia do Rio de Janeiro matou "mais de 500 pessoas em atos de resistência, frequentemente sem suficiente ou independente investigação", descreve o documento. Na região metropolitana de São Paulo, foram registadas 12 chacinas que resultaram na morte de 46 pessoas, entre janeiro e outubro de 2010. O relatório salientou igualmente que as eleições presidenciais de 2010 foram "em geral livres e limpas". Lusa
INGLATERRA:Prisões irão ter acesso a informação clínica
As prisões inglesas irão passar a estar ligadas a um sistema de informação clínica a nível nacional. O objectivo do ministério inglês da saúde é permitir que os dados clínicos dos presos estejam sempre acessíveis mesmo quando estes mudam de estabelecimento prisional. De acordo com o ministério este projecto irá também ter um impacto positivo na prestação de cuidados de saúde uma vez que permite aos médicos um acesso mais rápido à informação clínica. fonte
BRASIL:País que constrói mais prisões que escolas está doente
Por Luiz Flávio Gomes Aproximadamente 7% da população brasileira não sabe nem ler, nem escrever. Em matéria de educação, aliás, só ganhamos do Zimbábue. Se considerarmos o analfabetismo funcional[1] , a situação é ainda pior! Esta taxa atinge o equivalente a 20,3% da população. Ou seja, um em cada cinco brasileiros (de 15 anos ou mais) é analfabeto funcional. Mas este cenário pode ficar ainda pior: nos últimos 15 anos, o Brasil construiu mais presídio que escola. Isto mesmo, a informação, embora chocante e indigesta é verídica. Um estudo realizado pelo Instituto de Pesquisa Luiz Flávio Gomes verificou (a partir dos dados do IPEA — Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada) que no período compreendido entre 1994 e 2009, obtivemos uma queda de 19,3% no número de escolas públicas do país, já que em 1994 havia 200.549 escolas públicas contra 161.783 em 2009. Em contrapartida, no mesmo período, o número de presídios aumentou 253%. FONTE
Fundação Mata do Buçaco "contrata” mais reclusos
A experiência foi de excelência e, por isso mesmo, a Fundação Mata do Buçaco quer repeti-la e alargá-la. Falamos na parceria com a Direcção-Geral dos Serviços Prisionais, que levou para a mata, no ano passado, cinco reclusos do Estabelecimento Prisional de Coimbra. Uma experiência que António Jorge Franco, presidente da Fundação, elogia e recomenda. O protocolo foi celebrado em Abril do ano passado e daí resultou, explica o presidente da Fundação, que «diariamente os cinco reclusos trabalhem na mata, fazendo todo o trabalho inerente à manutenção e jardinagem». António Jorge Franco não poupa elogios «aos cinco colaboradores». «São fantásticos, a nível profissional e pessoal, pessoas e trabalhadores exemplares», sublinha, considerando que «não há necessidade de fazer qualquer acompanhamento, tirando o normal, que é comum a todos os funcionários», uma vez que são pessoas «absolutamente integradas na equipa, educadas e trabalhadoras».O indicador mais sintomático do presidente da Fundação é o facto de, ao longo do último ano, a Mata Nacional do Buçaco ter recebido mais de 150 visitantes e «ninguém, se apercebeu da situação», ou seja, que uma boa parte dos trabalhos de limpeza e manutenção é feito por reclusos. Aliás, estes cinco elementos trabalham como quaisquer outros. Chegam à mata por volta das 8h30, transportados numa carrinha do Estabelecimento Prisional de Coimbra, e ali passam todo o dia, a fazer aquilo que é necessário. Ao final da tarde, por volta das 17h30, “despegam” e regressam “a casa”. A diferença relativamente a qualquer outro trabalhador é que, ao invés de irem para as respectivas residências, recolhem ao Estabelecimento Prisional de Coimbra.E, com base neste primeiro ano de uma experiência «muito positiva», a Fundação não teve dúvida em querer ir mais longe e alargar esta colaboração com os Serviços Prisionais. “Acertados” todos os pormenores, o protocolo vai ser celebrado na segunda-feira, numa cerimónia marcada para as 11h00, no Convento de Santa Cruz do Bussaco, e de imediato mais dois reclusos vão “entrar ao serviço”. Isto porque as exigências são muitas e a Fundação está empenhada em promover e valorizar o mais possível este património.Recuperar patrimónioAssim, cumprida que está uma componente mais ligada à limpeza, importa agora começar a atentar na recuperação do património. O primeiro patamar prende-se, explica António Jorge Franco, com as instalações sanitárias, que carecem de obras urgentes, uma vez que constituem um elemento fundamental para «bem receber os visitantes» e oferecer-lhes as condições mínimas. Em causa estão três instalações sanitárias, que os dois reclusos, trabalhadores da área da construção civil, vão começar desde já a recuperar, pois o material necessário já está reunido.Depois, terminada esta fase, as atenções vão, de acordo com António Jorge Franco, centrar-se no património construído da Mata do Buçaco. Em causa está um património classificado, de grande valor, relativamente ao qual a Fundação Mata do Buçaco tem um protocolo com a Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva e com a Universidade de Aveiro. A apresentação de candidaturas ao QREN (Quadro Nacional de Referência Estratégia) e ao PIT (Programa de Intervenção no Turismo) constituem as respostas que os responsáveis pela Fundação procuram, no sentido de reunir fundos para avançar com o projecto, uma vez que o orçamento estimado aponta para mais de 10 milhões de euros. fonte
SPAIN:Spain receive 37 more Cuban ex-political prisoners
MADRID – A total of 37 Cuban ex-political prisoners and more than 200 relatives arrived Friday in Madrid in the largest and last such exodus since Spain started accepting dissidents last summer, the Foreign Ministry said. Altogether, 245 people arrived on an overnight flight from Havana on a plane chartered by the Spanish government. Cuba has freed 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003, under an agreement reached between Cuban President Raul Castro and Havana Cardinal Jaime Ortega. Spain facilitated that accord. So far Spain had accepted 40 of those dissidents since last July. Friday's group is separate from the 75, except for one man, Orlando Fundora, 55. He was jailed in 2003 and released a year later on health grounds. Fundora came to Spain on Friday with his wife. Cuba considers all 75 dissidents common criminals financed by the United States to conspire to destabilize its government. "I have left my homeland behind, but I am never going to abandon it," Fundora said outside the cheap hotel where he will be housed temporarily while getting settled in Spain. He said he has problems with his heart, kidneys and a leg, and thanked Spain and the Catholic church "for opening the doors to so many prisoners who were going to die." He said he wanted to continue advocating freedom of expression and human rights in Cuba. "I want to keep fighting. I want to keep speaking out wherever I can," Fundora told reporters. A ministry statement said that altogether, Spain has taken in 115 former prisoners and nearly 650 relatives from Cuba and Friday's arrival ends the process. The Cubans who have come to Spain and are not part of the 41 that include Fundora were convicted of crimes other than conspiracy, although Spain insists on calling them political prisoners. The ministry did not identify the new arrivals, and immediately began to send most of them out to several Spanish provinces rather than house them in Madrid. It said this was because residences and hostels that charities normally use to take in such people are full.
segunda-feira, 11 de abril de 2011
quinta-feira, 7 de abril de 2011
Orthodox IDF soldiers accused of abusing Palestinian prisoners
A military criminal investigation team's discovery of pictures and videos of Palestinian prisoners tied up and abused by members of the Nahal Haredi Brigade unit leads to the indictment of four soldiers. By Anshel Pfeffer An Israel Defense Forces soldier from a unit made up exclusively of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men was convicted on Wednesday in the Central Military Court of illegal use of a weapon and disgraceful conduct. The soldier, a member of the Nahal Haredi Brigade unit, was found guilty as a result of photos taken on his cellular phone, in which a Palestinian prisoner was shown tied up. The pictures were discovered when a military criminal investigation team conducted a search for drug use in the unit. In addition to the Nahal soldier who was convicted, three other members of the Orthodox army unit were caught with the incriminating photos on their cell phones, leading to an indictment against the four for abuse and illegal use of weapons. The investigation revealed that the soldiers took videos on their cell phones documenting abuse and humiliation of Palestinian prisoners by soldiers in the West Bank. The investigation team believes that the videos were taken by other soldiers that have yet to be identified, and the suspects received them from an unknown source. Ayal Noon, the attorney representing two of the soldiers, commented on the indictment, saying that "this is an unacceptable, and inappropriate incident that must be eradicated – however, it must be done through education, not criminalization." The attorney continued, saying "this is a reality that has been in existence since 1948 and [these soldiers should not be indicted] just as they never thought to put Ehud Barak or Danny Yotam on trial when they were photographed on the wing of a plane while stepping on the body of a terrorist [1972, AP]." He chastised the military establishment for their handling of the situation, saying that a decades-old practice is falling on the backs of a few soldiers. He added that these are "good soldiers, and this is a job for the head education officer." source
EU's Ashton demands freedom for Bahai prisoners in Iran
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's top diplomat Catherine Ashton said Friday she was "disturbed" by Iran's reported doubling of a jail term for seven leaders of a religious minority, and demanded their freedom. "I am disturbed by recent information that the original 20-year prison sentences against seven former Bahai leaders may have been reinstated," the bloc's foreign policy chief said in a statement. "I therefore call on the Iranian authorities to immediately release the seven Bahai leaders, whose sentencing appears to be motivated by their belonging to a minority faith, and to put an end to the persecution of religious minorities in Iran." The seven, sentenced last August to 20 years in jail, had their penalty halved by appeals judges in September. "I call on the Iranian authorities to clarify the legal situation of the seven individuals concerned," Ashton said. "They and their lawyers should be given the requisite access to all relevant documentation regarding their cases." The Bahai, barred from higher education and government posts in staunchly Shiite Muslim Iran, are regarded as infidels and have been persecuted both before and after the country's 1979 Islamic revolution. The Bahais consider Bahaullah, born in 1817, to be the latest prophet sent by God and believe in the spiritual unity of all religions and all mankind. Bahai leaders believe a total of 47 members of their religion are imprisoned in Iran simply for their beliefs. source
Igreja quer construir casa de apoio aos reclusos em Lisboa
Responsável pelo setor apela ao voluntariado para aumentar qualidade do serviço desenvolvido Lisboa, 04 abr 2011 – O serviço da pastoral penitenciária da diocese de Lisboa “sonha construir” uma casa de apoio aos reclusos, anunciou à ECCLESIA o padre João Nogueira, responsável por este setor diocesano da pastoral. Com 12 estabelecimentos prisionais no território da diocese de Lisboa, o padre João Nogueira disse o encontro realizado este sábado, na igreja do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Lisboa) serviu para “refletir sobre a dádiva, a necessidade de mais voluntários” e para que o serviço prestado aos reclusos “possa ter mais qualidade”. Ao falar sobre o sonho de uma residência para os reclusos, o sacerdote de Lisboa refere que já existe um espaço - «O Companheiro» -, mas “é pequeno”. Quando os reclusos têm uma precária, “se não existir um domicílio eles não podem usufruir desse benefício que a lei lhes permite”, adianta. Em pleno Ano Europeu do Voluntariado, o responsável da diocese de Lisboa para a pastoral penitenciária salienta que é fundamental que as comunidades cristãs - independentemente de não terem na sua área geográfica um estabelecimento prisional - “sintam a solicitude com os homens e mulheres que estão presas”. Esta “nova mentalidade” deve “começar eclesialmente, para além da sociedade civil, obviamente”, acrescentou. Independentemente do Ano do Voluntariado, os cristãos “sempre se organizaram nesta área”, visto que “todos os estabelecimentos prisionais – não apenas na diocese de Lisboa – têm voluntários”. Há homens e mulheres que sentem o “apelo e vocação especial” para estarem com os reclusos”, mas “com toda a certeza o ano do voluntariado vem reforçar este desafio”, desabafou. A restituição da dignidade do recluso é um dos objetivos dos voluntários prisionais, visto que “se olha para eles como pessoas e não como números”, sublinhou à ECCLESIA a voluntária Helena Mendes que participou na jornada de pastoral penitenciária. Como a população prisional é cada vez maior, “eles perdem a individualidade” – acrescenta. Cada visitador tem o seu estilo e a sua forma de se aproximar ao recluso, mas ao falar da sua experiência Helena Mendes afirma que insiste em despertar em cada um, “o manancial que existe dentro deles e, muitas vezes, desconhecem”. Numa primeira fase, os reclusos têm que se “reconhecer dignos como pessoas para poderem aceitar-se como dignos filhos de Deus”. De uma maneira geral, a sociedade encara o visitador prisional como uma “pessoa fora daquilo que lhe é compreensível”, disse a voluntária. Com uma cultura “mais punitiva do que restaurativa”, o papel do voluntário neste setor “passa muito pelo desenvolvimento espiritual” A prisão é um ambiente “pesado e muito exigente em termos emocionais”, no entanto “é um meio de enriquecimento pessoal”, refere Helena Mendes. Com uma população prisional cada vez maior – “o número de reclusos jovens é enorme” – Helena Mendes solicita “mais voluntários” que possam ajudar estes homens e mulheres. PTE/
Abbas: Israel Must Release All Prisoners; Hamas: So Must Abbas
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday declared the issue of prisoners to be a top priority, saying there would be no peace agreement with Israel until the issue was resolved, the Maan News Agency reports. "There will be no peace until all Palestinian prisoners are freed from Israeli jails," Abbas announced. Abbas' new precondition for talks with Israel comes as he seeks reconciliation with Fatah's archival Hamas. The Islamist movement Hamas and Abbas' Fatah organization have been at loggerheads since Hamas unexpectedly defeated Fatah in 2006 legislative elections. The feud erupted into violence in the Gaza in June 2007, when in a week of bloodletting, Hamas routed Fatah loyalists and sent the Palestinian Authority packing as it seized full control of security installations there. New efforts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas began again on March 16, when Abbas accepted an invitation from Hamas Primer Minister Ismail Haniyeh to visit Gaza. But that trip was subsequently cancelled when Hamas said it would not guaranteee Abbas' safety during the visit - a statement Fatah leaders took to be a threat. According to Maan, several Hamas lawmakers and leaders in PA administered areas have since received invitations to meet with Abbas in Ramallah in order to start dialogue about negotiations for a unity government. Abbas has gone so far as to say he will forego U.S. dollars to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority for the sake of unity with Hamas. In an ironic twist, however, Abbas finds himself confronted with the same demand not from Israel, but from Hamas concerning imprisoned terrorists. Hamas says Abbas must release all of its fighters held in PA jails before discussing unity between the feuding factions, Maan reports. Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida issued the demand in response to Abbas' initiative reconcile with Hamas. Abu Obeida insisted national unity could only succeed if Abbas released political prisoners in PA jails and stopped coordinating with Israel in accordance with the Oslo Accords. For its part, Israel has made it clear it will not deal with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority if it brings Hamas into the government, a senior Israeli official said Saturday night, a few hours after PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas met in Ramallah with a senior Hamas delegation for conciliation talks."Abbas has to choose whether he wants peace with Israel or peace with Hamas," the official said. "He can't have both. If he chooses peace with Hamas it will bury the peace process [with Israel]." (IsraelNationalNews.com)
sexta-feira, 1 de abril de 2011
Defensoria Pública promove I Seminário e II Oficina da Infância e Juventude
Defender e proteger a criança e o adolescente, esse é o propósito do ciclo de palestras que iniciou no dia 30 de março e se estenderá até esta sexta-feira, dia 1º de abril, no auditório do prédio-sede da Defensoria Pública do Estado do Pará. A programação faz parte do I Seminário e II Oficina da Infância e Juventude da Defensoria Pública, que é uma iniciativa do Centro de Estudos do órgão. O objetivo das palestras e das oficinas é discutir e analisar a aplicabilidade, as dificuldades e os avanços relacionados ao Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente - ECA, bem como integrar a Defensoria Pública e a Rede de Garantia de Direitos, procurando sempre o aperfeiçoamento dos profissionais que atuam em defesa dos direitos de crianças e adolescentes. Às 9h desta quarta-feira aconteceu a abertura do seminário, com breve discurso do Defensor Público Geral Antônio Roberto Cardoso, que expressou a sua satisfação em realizar ações como essa, e contribuir para o aprimoramento dos profissionais da Defensoria. "A Defensoria já avançou visivelmente, e sem dúvida hoje é um patrimônio jurídico, econômico e também cultural do Pará. Temos um compromisso com a defesa pública, e estes temas relacionados à proteção e à defesa da criança e do adolescente são extremamente importantes para buscar formas de aprimorarmos o nosso trabalho. Desejo um excelente proveito desta programação a todos, destacou Cardoso. As palestras "Conceito e princípios sobre Justiça Restaurativa" e "A importância da Justiça Restaurativa na área da Infância e Juventude para a Cultura de Paz", tiveram início às 9h30, e foram ministradas pelo jurista espanhol, Victor Herrero Escrich, que também é membro da Fundação Terra des Hommes, TDH. Ao começar a primeira palestra, o jurista contou como a Justiça Restaurativa passou a ser adotada na Espanha. "A justiça não era eficaz, estávamos perdendo os jovens para as prisões, e eles precisavam receber uma atenção especial. A partir daí vimos que a melhor forma de não perdê-los era a ressocialização, então a nossa maneira de interpretar as leis passou a mudar. Há mais ou menos 15 anos, a Justiça Restaurativa passou a ser adotada na Espanha como alternativa para dar um novo rumo à vida desses jovens", explicou Herrero. Durante as palestras, Victor Herrero falou sobre a importância da Justiça Restaurativa na área da Infância e da Juventude. "Trata-se de um novo formato na justiça, no qual a vítima também passa a ser enfatizada. Nosso objetivo é fazer com que o jovem repare seu erro diante da vítima, não só trabalhando para compensar os bens materiais que estejam envolvidos no delito, mas também reparando os transtornos morais que esse menor tenha causado. O grande problema é que muitas vezes as leis são levadas ao pé da letra, mas não podemos esquecer que elas possuem inúmeras interpretações. A restauração não é só em relação aos infratores e às vitimas, mas também para promover a paz social", concluiu. Edilena Costa - Defensoria Pública do Estado fonte
UK:Foreign Office Minister welcomes release of political prisoners in Cuba
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne welcomed the announcement saying it was an "encouraging step forward". Speaking after the Cuban prisoners were freed the Foreign Office Minister said:"I welcome the news that the Cuban government has now freed the remaining 52 prisoners of conscience from the group of 75 imprisoned in 2003. This has been an important priority for the UK and for the EU and it is an encouraging step forward. "I hope the releases signal the start of broader advances in human rights, including greater tolerance for freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to imprisonment and detentions of peaceful protestors.”
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