Paraguay Studies Brazilian Prison System for Rehabilitation Model

Asunción, Paraguay – A Paraguayan delegation, led by Vice Minister of Criminal Policy Rubén Maciel, recently visited the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, to examine its innovative approach to prison management and inmate rehabilitation. The visit, which took place on March 18, 2026, focused on a model where prisoner labor is a key component of reintegration and system sustainability.

Exploring the Santa Catarina Model

The Paraguayan delegation met with authorities from the State Secretariat for Justice and Social Reintegration (SEJURI) and toured the Blumenau Industrial Penitentiary Center. This facility is recognized for its results-oriented management and the direct connection between inmates and private sector employment opportunities. The delegation observed productive workshops and the integration of security measures with real operate opportunities for inmates.

Key Elements of the Brazilian System

According to officials from Santa Catarina, the success of the program hinges on order, discipline, and a structure that effectively combines security with meaningful employment. Maicon Ronald Alves, the state’s Criminal Police Director-General, emphasized that the results are driven by a consolidated policy focused on specific indicators and strong institutional coordination. Source

Paraguay’s Objectives

Vice Minister Maciel expressed a strong interest in adapting the Santa Catarina model to the Paraguayan context. He highlighted the importance of understanding how the Brazilian system generates income, reduces operational costs, and provides tangible pathways for social reintegration. “The main reason for this visit is to learn how the penitentiary model is working in Santa Catarina,” Maciel stated. “We are seeing the level of organization, discipline and work management in alliance with the private sector, which not only benefits the people deprived of liberty, but likewise the system as a whole.” Source

Scale and Impact in Santa Catarina

Santa Catarina currently has over 10,700 inmates participating in work activities, representing one of the highest rates in Brazil. The system relies on partnerships with the private sector, ongoing training programs, and income generation initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism and facilitating successful reintegration into society. Source

International Recognition and Future Plans

The Santa Catarina model has garnered international attention and is considered adaptable to various contexts. The Paraguayan Ministry of Justice views this visit as part of a broader effort to analyze novel strategies for consolidating a new prison management model, with a particular focus on expanding reintegration opportunities and optimizing the use of public funds. Source

The delegation from Paraguay included María Rosalía González Flores, Director of Welfare and Social Reintegration; Guido René González Cárdenas, Head of Labor Production; and Paola Fabiana Leiva de Benítez, Head of Accounting.