The Oriximiná police station in western Pará, Brazil, has been ordered by the local court to limit the number of prisoners to a maximum of five following a significant overcrowding issue. This ruling came from the Single Court of Oriximiná, which imposed a deadline of five days for transferring any excess inmates to appropriate prison facilities. A daily fine of R$ 10,000 has been established to ensure compliance with this order, highlighting the court's serious view of the situation.

This legal decision arose from a Public Civil Action initiated by the Pará Public Ministry (MPPA), aimed at addressing the concerning conditions that have been reported in the Oriximiná police station's detention area. During inspections, the MPPA discovered that around 26 inmates were held in a facility designed for far fewer, specifically in roughly five cells that were not equipped for long-term detention. These inspections revealed critical issues including inadequate hygiene and lack of essential infrastructure, which posed significant health risks to the detained individuals.

The ongoing situation reflects broader issues within Brazil's penal system, characterized by overcrowding and insufficient resources. The Pará state government has indicated that it plans to appeal this ruling, which raises questions about the long-term strategies for resolving such systemic issues. The appeal could further delay necessary reforms and improvements within the penal system, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change.