The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) is proud to announce the launch of a new manual, Judicial Inspections in Places of Deprivation of Liberty , developed in partnership with the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and Programa Fazendo Justiça. Officially unveiled at a high-level event in May 27th, this publication equips Brazilian judges with the practical tools and methodology to carry out effective inspections of detention facilities — a key measure in preventing torture and ill-treatment.
The manual is the result of nearly three years of joint efforts, thoughtful dialogue, and technical collaboration. It builds on Brazil’s legal mandate for judicial inspections, offering the first comprehensive guidance for how judges can fulfil this obligation in a systematic, effective, and rights-based manner. It also complements a set of binding guidelines recently issued , which outlines the standards and procedures for these inspections.
As an international human rights organisation, APT has long advocated for preventive measures to protect the rights and dignity of persons deprived of liberty. Judicial oversight is one of the most powerful tools in preventing abuse before it occurs, ensuring that sentences are not only lawfully imposed but also lawfully served.
The manual is divided into three volumes. It establishes a calendar of monthly thematic inspections, technical instructions, normative parameters, monitoring tools, and relevant suggestions for follow-up measures. It also provides guidance on responding to serious occurrences such as torture, deaths, and crisis situations in the prison environment. As such. the manual provides concrete answers to practical questions: What should be observed during a prison visit? What are the warning signs of torture or ill-treatment? What legal standards must be upheld in detention conditions?
“My initial contact with the Manual being launched today already had an immediate and tangible impact on the prison inspections I conduct (…).It offers judges greater legal and methodological assurance, particularly when addressing sensitive matters such as individuals in situations of heightened vulnerability, disciplinary regimes, and access to essential services — all approached with greater depth and responsibility,” said Lorena Victorasso, Judge of the State Court of Pernambuco.
“This Guide will help transform inspections from being merely descriptive exercises into proactive interventions, aimed at identifying and addressing irregularities and ultimately improving conditions of detention.”
This launch comes at a pivotal time for Brazil, following the adoption of Pena Justa, a national plan to reform the prison system. APT therefore believes that the Manual can make a significant contribution to achieving this reform, providing historic opportunity for transformation on penal practices and their supervision in Brazil.
We also hope this material will inspire similar initiatives across other continents and regions.The guide and its tools can be of use to judges in different countries who have a legal mandate to check on conditions of detention, as well as inspire the establishment of similar oversight mechanisms in countries where such practices still do not exist Strengthening the role of the judiciary in monitoring detention is essential to protecting the rights of those most at risk.
A series of resources to support the implementation of the new inspection methodology for judges and the joint Manual with the APT will follow the launch. They will be made available in English, Spanish and Portuguese on a dedicated portal on the site of the National Council of Justice.
Access the manuals here: https://www.apt.ch/pt/centro-de-conhecimento/publicacoes/manual-inspecoes-judiciais-nos-estabelecimentos-de-privacao-de
