In a notable development, over 3,000 inmates from the Vale do Paraíba region will participate in their first temporary leave, or 'saidinha', on Tuesday, January 17. This event occurs almost two years after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned a law intended to restrict the conditions under which inmates in semi-open regimes can temporarily leave prison. The data was gathered by G1 from lists of eligible prisoners released by the respective prison management authorities.

Legal experts have engaged with G1 to elucidate why thousands of inmates are still able to benefit from temporary leaves, despite the new regulations. The main reason provided is that the law, enacted on April 11, 2024, does not have retroactive effects, meaning it does not apply to inmates who were already serving their sentences prior to this date. As a result, these individuals continue to enjoy the privilege of temporary leaves as they were not affected by the recent changes in legislation.

This situation raises questions about the efficacy of the new law in achieving its intended goal of tighter control over prison leave. With so many inmates still eligible for temporary leave, the challenge now lies in reconciling legislative intentions with the realities of the justice system. The ongoing discussions around this topic highlight the complexities involved in balancing rehabilitative benefits against public safety concerns.