Brazil to build 52 jails this year

Justice authorities in Brazil say they plan to reduce overcrowding in jails by reducing sentences and building new prisons.

The announcement comes in the wake of a spate of riots including one last week in Sao Paulo state where six hundred people were held hostage.

A senior official from the national prison department said that two-hundred million dollars have been budgeted to build fifty-two new jails this year alone.

The BBC correspondent in Brazil says the unprecendented number of prison riots, and particularly the recent rebellion in Sao Paulo state, have shown Brazilians that it's a good investment.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service