Brazil's mighty prison gangs

Organised gangs - so ubiquitous in Brazilian jails that many experts believe criminals virtually run the country's prison system - are said to be behind the current rioting. The BBC reports.

"One of the most prominent of them is the First Command of the Capital (PCC).

The power of the PCC - both inside and outside prisons - has been heightened in recent years by the availability of mobile phones.

Gang leaders get phones smuggled through heavy prison security with the help of corrupt guards - and thus are able to run their criminal activities from the safety of their cells.

... Since the start of 2006, the state authorities say the PCC has orchestrated rebellions in dozens of prison. According to a wardens' union, more than 460 guards have been taken hostage."

emily | 5:36 PM | Inmates and Cell Phones |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2006/05/012362.htm