Prisoners in Salvador suffered electric shocks, punches and baton blows during searches; agents were convicted

Electric shocks, punches, kicks, slaps and baton blows. These were some of the attacks suffered by 260 prisoners during a general search of cells at the Salvador Public Prison, on June 23, 2010. For the case, 31 prison officers, coordinators and members of the unit's management were convicted by the Bahia Court.

The sentences reach 13 years, seven months and ten days in prison, in an initial closed regime. The sentence was signed on October 24, 2026 by judge Bernardo Mario Dantas Lubambo, from the 14th Criminal Court of Salvador, and began to be reverberated this Saturday (7).

At the time of the attacks, 412 people were held in the unit. More than half of the inmates were reportedly subjected to physical and verbal attacks, as well as humiliation by prison officers.

The action was initially presented as a routine search to prevent possible riots. However, according to the decision, the procedure would also have been used as a form of punishment for those arrested for previous demands and to intimidate them from promoting new rebellions.

Family members reported attacks

The case came to the attention of the authorities after family members of the prisoners noticed marks of aggression on the inmates' bodies and contacted the Public Prosecutor's Office.

A judicial inspection carried out at the jail found bruises and injuries on several inmates. The victims' reports also pointed to the participation of prison officers in the attacks.

During the investigation, statements from prisoners and staff, recognition of perpetrators, medical records, photographs of injuries and information obtained during the inspection of the unit were considered.

In the sentence, the judge recognized the participation of prison officers in the violence and also held members of the prison management responsible. According to the decision, managers would have witnessed the events and failed to prevent the attacks from continuing.

Convicts received sentences of up to 13 years

Of the 31 convicted, 25 were prison officers, who received sentences of 11 years and eight months in prison. Another three were coordinators and three were part of the management of the Public Prison. The latter received sentences of 13 years, seven months and ten days.

Everyone must initially serve their sentences in a closed regime.

In addition to imprisonment, those convicted lost their public positions, functions or jobs and were prohibited from performing their respective functions for twice the time of the sentences imposed.

The sentence also established a minimum compensation of R$5,000 for each victim listed in the complaint. The amount must be paid proportionally by the convicts, with interest of 1% per month and monetary adjustment according to the National Consumer Price Index (INPC), from the date of the events.

Three people were acquitted. In relation to another defendant, the Court recognized the extinction of punishment due to death.

What does Seap say?

"The Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration and Resocialization (SEAP) clarifies that the facts mentioned in the court decision occurred in 2010, more than 16 years ago, long before the current administration.

The Secretariat respects the Court's decision and reaffirms that it does not condone any practice of illegal violence or violation of human rights.

In the current administration, we have intensified the training and qualifications of criminal police officers, with a focus on respecting human rights and preserving the physical integrity of people deprived of their liberty.

We fully trust in the serious and committed work of our criminal police officers, who daily guarantee safety, discipline and the development of resocialization actions in prison units.

We remain firm in valuing these professionals, respecting legality and the commitment to transform Bahia's prison system into an increasingly efficient, fair and, above all, humanized system."