Brazil inmates turn cells into Christmas wonderland
377 views · Published 19 December 2018 · 2:40 · Indexed 14 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(14 Dec 2018) The cells and corridors of a Brazilian prison have been given a festive makeover as part of an annual decoration and performance competition. Hundreds of female inmates at Nelson Hungria prison in Rio de Janeiro have spent the past few weeks decking out their cell blocks with Christmas decorations, made principally from recycled materials. The inmates decorate their rooms from floor to ceiling using whatever they can find around the prison, such as plastic bottle tops and aluminium foil from their meals. More elaborate decorations and fabrics for their costumes are donated by local charities, churches and NGOs. Dressed in simple, but colourful costumes, the prisoners perform songs, dances and scenes from Bible stories to compete against their fellow inmates in other cells. Each dormitory is judged by prison staff, local church leaders, and officials from NGOs that support the prison, with prizes awarded for the best performance and best decorations. The goal of the competition is to alleviate the pain of prisoners spending Christmas away from their families, according to penitentiary staff. Vice director at Nelson Hungria, Maria Aparecida, says it's an opportunity for the inmates to come together and work as a team, which helps with their resocialisation when they are released. Relatives are not permitted to attend the performances, so some inmates took the opportunity during rehearsals to send a Christmas message. Sandra Porto de Macedo broke down in tears as she wished a Merry Christmas to her daughter. The 53-year-old has been behind bars for almost a year and is still awaiting trial on charges of drug trafficking. Her daughter, who was arrested at the same time, has not been to visit her mother since being released from the prison. But Porto de Macedo was forgiving: "Merry Christmas daughter. Even when you abandoned me, I still love you." Brazil is notorious for its prisons, which have long been blasted by human rights groups for rampant overcrowding and inhumane conditions. For the inmates at Nelson Hungria prison, where the surroundings are better than most jails in Brazil, the Christmas contest brings a little hope and joy to their lives. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/f41c2e1831dad52ec8372849573862e6
