By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian government officials announced on Tuesday, September 20th, that over the next several weeks, prisons throughout the country will begin to receive the advanced security equipment used during the recently completed Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, the new security equipment is valued at approximately R$2.1 million.
According to the Ministry of Justice, X-ray machines, metal detection portals, and manual detectors should replace the prisons current antiquated equipment and serve to prevent the entry of weapons, electronic devices and mobile phones in prisons.
The number of devices distributed between Brazil’s 26 states will vary according to the size and need of the prison system. According to current government projections, Sao Paulo, will receive 66 X-ray machines, 170 metal detectors, and 82 manual detectors.
Minas Gerais, will have 38 X-ray machines, 82 metal detectors, and 42 manual detectors. Rio Grande do Sul is expected to receive twenty X-ray machines, forty metal detectors, and 23 manual detectors.
Government officials have not yet announced details of distribution to the country’s remaining states.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the original purchase contracts between Brazil’s Departamento Penitenciário Nacional (Department of Prisons) for the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics and the equipment suppliers called for the delivery and installation of the equipment directly to the prisons immediately following the Games’ conclusion.