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Even With the Lowest Crime Rate in the Country, Santa Catarina Will Heavily Invest in Prison Infrastructure to Address the Deficit of Over 7 Thousand Vacancies in the System and Expand the Custody Capacity Throughout the State
The Court of Justice of Santa Catarina (TJ-SC) decided to intervene in a deadlock that hindered the progress of essential works for the prison system in Santa Catarina. The information was disclosed by Gazeta do Povo, highlighting that the Court authorized the construction of four new prisons in the state, valued at R$ 370 million. The decision was made on Wednesday (22), by the Group of Public Law Chambers, which analyzed bidding process No. 52/2025, responsible for reducing the estimated prison deficit of 7,3 thousand vacancies.
The bidding document, which had been suspended by the State Court of Auditors (TCE-SC), includes integrated contracts that cover everything from the basic and executive project to the execution of works and engineering services. The government’s plan is to build new units at the Industrial Penitentiary of Chapecó, in Xanxerê, and two in Lages, all aimed at expanding detention capacity and modernizing the prison system in Santa Catarina.
The suspension had been ordered by counselor Wilson Rogério Wan-Dall, who pointed out alleged irregularities in the bidding document, particularly in the ratio of 70% for technical proposal and 30% for price, which, according to him, could harm competitiveness among bidding companies. The Court of Auditors maintained the precautionary measure after a session on September 17, reinforcing the need for review.
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TJ-SC Decision Reverses Blockade and Ensures Immediate Resumption of Works
The Attorney General’s Office of the State (PGE-SC) reacted with a writ of security, claiming that the measure by the control body invaded administrative merit and compromised the execution of strategic public policies. The argument was accepted by the TJ-SC judges, who ordered the release of the bidding process and authorized the start of constructions.
In the decision, judge Denise Francoski highlighted that the technical requirements of the bidding document were in accordance with the law and did not restrict competitiveness. According to her, “there was full compliance with the principles of efficiency and legality, especially given the complexity of prison works.” The decision was unanimous among the judges, providing total legal backing to the state government.
According to Attorney General Marcelo Mendes, the legal discussion had the potential to impact other ongoing bids, totaling nearly R$ 1 billion in public works. Therefore, the TJ-SC’s decision was considered strategic to unlock the Serious Prison Administration program, launched by Governor Jorginho Mello in April 2025.
Santa Catarina Invests R$ 1 Billion to Expand the Prison System and Reduce Overcrowding
The state government’s program provides for total investments of R$ 1.4 billion, with R$ 1 billion allocated for the construction and expansion of prison units. The goal is to create 9,593 new vacancies, distributed among penitentiaries and medium and maximum security prisons.
Following the TCE’s statement, all new bidding documents were suspended, which halted the planned work schedule. Now, with the judicial decision, the government will be able to proceed with the bids and accelerate the start of constructions.
Meanwhile, the Court of Auditors of Santa Catarina informed that it will continue monitoring the application of resources. In July, the agency approved a budget monitoring plan between 2025 and 2026 to oversee the financial execution of the State Department of Justice and Social Reintegration.
According to a report by counselor Anderson Flores, there are weaknesses in the management of the Penitentiary Fund of Santa Catarina (Fupesc), as well as overcrowding in cells. In December 2023, the state had 24,979 inmates, but only 8,065 vacancies in closed regime and 3,958 in semi-open regime, resulting in a deficit of over 8,300 vacancies.
Future Plans and Expansion of the Prison System in Santa Catarina
According to the Department of Justice and Social Reintegration, the state plan includes the expansion of prison units in Canoinhas, Tijucas, and Videira, as well as the construction of new penitentiaries in Xanxerê, Lages, Chapecó, São Cristóvão do Sul, Imbituba, Araranguá, Biguaçu, and Blumenau.
The expectation is that, with the completion of the planned works, Santa Catarina will practically eliminate the current prison deficit, which currently exceeds 8,000 vacancies. Nonetheless, the state faces constant challenges: in January 2024, there were 9,753 pending arrest warrants, a number exceeding the current detention capacity.
Even being recognized as the safest state in Brazil, Santa Catarina bets on a preventive policy and structural strengthening of the penitentiary system. According to the government, the goal is to “ensure dignity, safety, and efficiency in prison units, reducing criminal recidivism and promoting reintegration.”
The decision of the TJ-SC, therefore, represents more than a legal victory: it symbolizes the resumption of a project that aims to transform the prison reality of the state and serve as a national model in management and prison infrastructure.
…que se abram escolas públicas para se fechar presídios…
Eu moro em sc e não acho que seja essa segurança toda, é só ver que a capital está aos poucos se transformando num Rio de Janeiro.
Eu queria a construção de um Presídio na cidade de Palmas Paraná Sul do Brasil e Sudoeste do Paraná, não sei porque não se torna realidade um investimento desse na cidade Capital dos Palmenses.