Riots are common in Brazilian prisons, which are notoriously overcrowded. Brazil has one of the largest prison populations in the world. The country's jails are largely controlled by powerful ...

Vieira is believed to be the Red Command leader in the state of Goias Police in Brazil have arrested a drug lord accused of ordering a deadly prison riot on New Year's Day. Nine inmates were ...

Around 33% of the prison population is made up of pretrial detainees. Along with severe overcrowding and gang violence, riots and breakout attempts in Brazil's prisons are not uncommon.