A Brazilian court has mandated that the state of Mato Grosso address significant irregularities identified in seven prisons, highlighting urgent issues such as structural problems, water rationing, and allegations of mistreatment of inmates. The ruling, signed by Judge Orlando de Almeida Perri on the 4th of this month, stipulates that the state must implement immediate measures or face fines of up to R$ 100,000 per day.

The decision outlines specific deadlines for compliance, ranging from immediate action to a maximum of 120 days, requiring the Secretary of State for Justice (Sejus) to rectify the identified problems in various facilities, which include the Penitenciária Central do Estado (PCE) and the Women's Penitentiary Ana Maria Couto May in Cuiabá, as well as the Centro de Ressocialização Industrial in Várzea Grande. The government has yet to respond to requests for comment, leaving many questions about how they plan to address these critical issues.

This court order underscores growing concerns about prison conditions in Brazil, where overcrowding and poor treatment of prisoners remain persistent problems. By enforcing strict compliance measures, the judiciary aims to ensure the protection of inmates' rights and improve overall conditions within the state's correctional facilities, reflecting broader issues within the Brazilian criminal justice system.