The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) released a note in which it asks the National Congress to maintain President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s veto of the bill that ends the temporary release of prisoners on holidays and commemorative dates.
The presidential veto only applies to inmates who are already in a semi-open regime, keeping outings prohibited for those convicted of heinous and violent crimes, such as rape, homicide and drug trafficking.
Current legislation allows prisoners in the semi-open prison, who have already served one-sixth of their total sentence and who have good behavior, to leave the prison for 5 days to visit their family on holidays, study abroad or participate in resocialization activities.
“The CNBB expresses to the National Congress, in line with its tradition explained in the social doctrine of the Church and with the objectives of the Brazilian penal system, that the partial veto submitted to parliamentarians for evaluation be maintained”, says the note released on Tuesday ( 23) by the confederation.
Premises of the Church
The CNBB recalls that “the Social Doctrine of the Church recognizes the legitimacy of the State to inflict penalties proportional to the gravity of the crimes. Alongside this dimension, the state system must favor the reintegration of convicted people and promote reconciling justice”.
“Brazilian legislation has the same premises for the gradual reintegration of our sisters and brothers into society. Temporary departures during the sentence respond to these premises”, says the note.
The CNBB message ends with a quote from Pope Francis: “Never smother the small flame of hope. Rekindling this small flame is everyone’s duty. It is up to the whole of society to nurture it, to ensure that the penalty does not compromise the right to hope, that prospects for reconciliation and reintegration are guaranteed. While the mistakes of the past are remedied, hope for the future cannot be canceled.”
Before being sanctioned by the President of the Republic, the project was approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The part of the law that was vetoed will be reevaluated by Congress, which could override the president’s veto.
