In Salinópolis, Seap and DPE-PA carry out the 36th stage of the Citizenship in Prison Project
The action provided legal assistance to nearly 170 detainees, allowing for the evaluation of processes and the filing of necessary petitions to prevent overcrowding in the penal unit
The 36th stage of the Citizenship in Prison Project was held at the Custody and Reintegration Unit of Salinópolis, in northeastern Pará. The action, promoted by the State Secretariat for Penitentiary Administration (Seap), through the Criminal Execution Directorate (DEC), in partnership with the Public Defender's Office of the State of Pará (DPE), legally assisted 163 people deprived of liberty (PPLs) over two days of work.
The project aims to guarantee legal assistance to detainees who do not have a lawyer, allowing for process analysis and the preparation of petitions when necessary. The initiative seeks to promote citizenship and give visibility to the prison population, combating the legal and social invisibility of these individuals.
Lucas Belleard, director of DEC/Seap, emphasized that the assistance represents a step forward in ensuring rights within the prison system. “Ensuring citizenship also means keeping inmates informed about their procedural situation. Furthermore, the legal mutirões are part of the Fair Sentence Plan, developed by the Union and the National Justice Council (CNJ), to comply with a decision from the Federal Supreme Court. Legal assistance is essential to reduce overcrowding and promote dignity in the system,” he stated.
Public defender Flávio Ferreira, who coordinated the assistance in Salinópolis, highlighted that this was the 36th edition of the project. “Since Monday, we have provided assistance to approximately 170 PPLs, analyzing processes and filing petitions in cases of provisional and convicted prisoners. The action contributes to combating overcrowding and rescuing these individuals from the invisibility of the justice system,” he explained.
The action involved the participation of public defenders from the capital, staff from the Interior Directorate, and the regional office of Salinópolis. The director of the unit, Lucas Frias, thanked Seap and DPE for their support, highlighting the positive impact of legal assistance on the routine of the penal institution. “This action is fundamental, especially for inmates who do not have a private lawyer. Many are unassisted, and with the support of the Public Defender's Office, we can advance the proper functioning of our and other units,” he declared.
Among the beneficiaries is José de Nazaré da Silva, 63, who has been serving his sentence for almost five years. He sought, through the action, the possibility of migrating to home confinement. The request was forwarded by the Defender's Office to the Court of Justice of Pará (TJPA) and is awaiting a decision. “It was very good. I don’t have a lawyer, so this type of assistance is very important for me,” he assessed.
Another detainee, Jameson da Silva Costa, 27, also celebrated the results. “It was a wonderful service, better than I expected. I have more favorable responses in my process. There needs to be this type of action to help everyone,” he concluded.
Text: Márcio Sousa NCS/SEAP
