This webinar will be held in both English and Spanish. Translation from English to Spanish and vice versa will be provided.
 

From Brazil to El Salvador, prison gangs have transformed the state’s disciplinary institutions into headquarters for their criminal activities. At the same time, they govern—providing order and physical safety for millions of low-income residents across vast informal peripheries neglected by governments. The leading example is Brazil’s Primerio Comando da Capital (PCC), which since the early 2000s has enjoyed a criminal monopoly in São Paulo, imposing a peaceful social order in the urban periphery. Its subsequent expansion into every state in Brazil triggered the rise of local prison gangs that emulate and often confront the PCC. The PCC's superior organization gives it advantages over rivals; however, it has also faced setbacks and resistance. But has the PCC's power come about 'naturally' or is it in some ways enabled by existing government policies?

In this webinar, Benjamin Lessing (University of Chicago) will present his research on prison gangs in Brazil. Joana Monteiro (Rio de Janeiro’s Prosecutor Office/ FGV) will discuss the policy implications of this work. A 10-minute Q&A will follow the presentations.

We very much hope you will be able to join us. If there are others in your network who you believe would benefit from participating, please feel free to forward this invitation to them.