The Secretariat of Public Security of Amazonas had information on a possible mass escape of prisoners in state prisons between Christmas and New Year. The information has been confirmed this Wednesday (Jan. 4) by Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes.

Moraes, who met with Supreme Court Chief Justice Carmén Lúcia, denied that the federal government was aware of the escape plan before the riot at the Anísio Teixeira prison complex (COMPAJ) in Manaus, between January 1 and 2.

The riot caused the death of 56 prisoners, in the second largest massacre of Brazilian prisons, after only the Carandiru massacre in 1992. Four other prisoners died in the Puraquequara prison unit, also in Manaus.

Most of the killed inmates were members of the First Command of the Capital (PCC) gang, rival of the North Family (FDN), which is linked to the Red Command (CV) gang, which accounts for the majority of the prisoners of COMPAJ.

When asked about the possibility of further riots, in a possible retaliation for the FDN attack, Moraes replied: "not at that moment, but riots are suddenly sparked." He reported that the intelligence system and the Federal Police from all states have been working together with the Ministry of Justice to monitor and prevent further cases.

Responsibility

Moraes said it is not possible to confirm at this moment if the Amazonas government has purposely not acted properly to prevent the riot and the killings in state prisons.

"So far no omission has been verified. The causes will be investigated by the civil police," Moraes said. "We can already confirm that a series of mistakes have been made; or this would not have happened."

The minister said that they confirmed the use of large guns and a regular use of cell phones by prisoners, and they blamed the people in charge of controlling the prison entrance.

"I have no doubt in saying that errors were committed by those who take care of the prison. Otherwise, there wouldn't be machete, heavy artillery, drinks, and cell phones. But we can only extend this [responsibility] to other authorities if proof is offered," added the justice minister.

According to Moraes, investigations will now reveal whether the killings and the riot had been sparked specifically to allow the escape of gang leaders from the prison. The minister pointed out that, even after the intelligence had reported a possible escape, visits were allowed on New Year's Eve.

Videos posted after the massacre on the internet by the prisoners themselves show a drug-fueled New Year's party a few hours before the rebellion.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta