Inside São Paulo's Youth Detention Center: A Glimpse into Brazil's Juvenile Justice Debate
Located in São Paulo's Vila Maria district, the Casa Governador Mário Covas socio-educational center currently houses 64 youths aged 15 to 18 experiencing their initial institutional confinement. Established in November 2014, the facility includes eight dormitories, classrooms, and a sports court. According to Director Edson Luis de Oliveira, the uniform numbering system is implemented for administrative purposes. Weekly evangelical services are conducted by Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus and Congregação Cristã do Brasil. A national discussion is underway regarding the proposal to lower the penal age from 18 to 16 for serious offenses. As of August, Fundação Casa had 10,035 young individuals, with 73.2% between the ages of 15 and 17. Residents João and Mateus express concerns about societal values, highlighting the greater number of detention centers compared to schools.
Key facts
- 64 adolescents aged 15-18 are held at Casa Governador Mário Covas.
- The center opened in November 2014 in Vila Maria, São Paulo.
- A constitutional amendment to lower the penal age from 18 to 16 for heinous crimes is pending Senate approval.
- As of August, Fundação Casa held 10,035 youths statewide; 73.2% were 15-17 years old.
- Director Edson Luis de Oliveira states the numbering system is for administrative organization.
- Weekly evangelical services are conducted by Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus and Congregação Cristã do Brasil.
- Resident João read Gabriel García Márquez and Clarice Lispector while detained.
- The institution was renamed from FEBEM to Fundação Casa in 2006 to improve adolescent care.
Entities
Artists
- Gabriel García Márquez
- Clarice Lispector
- Rogério Formigoni
Institutions
- Fundação Casa
- Casa Governador Mário Covas
- Câmara dos Deputados
- Senado
- Secretaria Nacional de Promoção dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente (SINASE)
- Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus
- Congregação Cristã do Brasil
- Fundação Estadual do Bem-Estar do Menor (FEBEM)
- Fundação Centro de Atendimento Socioeducativo ao Adolescente (Casa)
Locations
- Vila Maria
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Jardim Brasil
- Brás
- Jardim Ângela
- Marginal Tietê