APAC Brazil Receives Government Support for Expansion
A few months ago, PF Brazil and the Tribunal of Justice of the State of Minas Gerais signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of nine new APAC Social Reintegration Centres (name given to most APAC facilities) and the expansion of two existing facilities. These 11 new units will add 1,070 spaces to the Brazilian Prison System.
During a public signing of the agreement at the auditorium of the
Tribunal of Justice, the vice-governor Antônio Agusto Anastasia,
affirmed the governments partnership with APAC. In reflecting on the
work he said, “The APAC model, in my view, adds all the forces of
society to the rehabilitation of prisoners.” He went on to explain that
they had a mandate from the governor to increase the number of
agreements in the next year.
According to Valdeci Ferreira, the executive director of PF Brazil, the
signing of the agreement is a unique moment in the history of APAC.
“These resources are the result of the work of many people,” he said,
“There is no greater happiness than seeing someone considered the trash
of society lift up his head and be transformed into a citizen.”
The agreement carries a 14 month time frame in which each unit will
receive the funds directly. They are responsible for using the funds to
further the work of APAC and reporting back to the executive office of
the national ministry and the government.
November 2008
