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He fought justice and the law triumphed.

Sixty days subsequent to receiving a 27-year sentence for trying to “destroy” the nation's democracy, ex-president Jair Bolsonaro at last looks headed to prison.

Imminent Incarceration

The adjudicated plotter – who had been subject to home confinement in his mansion while a series of judicial steps and appeals play out – is broadly anticipated to be incarcerated in the next few days, amidst increasing speculation that he will be transferred to a infamous maximum security prison.

Previous Remarks on Prisoners

Throughout Bolsonaro’s 40-year time in politics, the far-right former soldier displayed little mercy for the country's inmates.

“For what reason must we offer these scoundrels a good life?” he once pondered. “They deserve to be screwed, period. That's my view.”

In another instance, Bolsonaro stated: “Should you not wish to end up behind bars, all you have to do is to avoid rape, abduction or rob.”

Jail Facility Discussion

Yet the idea of Bolsonaro himself landing in the Papuda prison top-security prison in Brasília has shocked supporters, four of whom this week toured the facility in an apparent bid to discourage the supreme court from transferring him there.

Izalci Lucas, a senator from Bolsonaro’s allied group who was among that group, claimed he expected the elderly figure to be incarcerated in the coming fortnight and feared his assigned prison could be Papuda.

The senator argued Bolsonaro’s acute gut problems – the consequence of a near-fatal stabbing during the 2018 political campaign – signified it would be risky to keep the ex-leader there. “His condition is very grave. He will not be able to handle it if they move him to Papuda … It would be dreadful,” he commented, who also expressed concern about overcrowded cells and the condition of prison meals.

During his tour Papuda, Lucas noted observing cells accommodating forty inmates: “That’s almost one square meter per prisoner.

“We talked to the inmates and they grumble, naturally, of the terrible meals,” added the senator.

Allies Voice Concerns

The senator isn't the lone figure expressing views ahead of the one-time head of state's expected detention.

Writing in a leading newspaper, one more backer, the former communications minister Fábio Wajngarten, deplored the “severe” end to Bolsonaro’s “impeccable” public service and alleged Brazil was about to experience “the greatest wrong in its history”.

“It represents an wrong that erodes the spirits of many of Brazilians,” the former minister said.

Divided Popular Opinion

This could be true considering the considerable support Bolsonaro retains on the right-wing. But his expected incarceration has also warmed the feelings of millions others who feel he deserves to be imprisoned for planning to block his successor from becoming president – and additionally scheming to have him assassinated.

Congressman Otoni, a representative for the current president's allied group, said: “Nobody desires Bolsonaro to be sent in a dungeon. Not a soul wishes Bolsonaro to be placed in isolation. Not a soul wishes Bolsonaro to lack food or for him to have to rest on hard ground. We wish him to get dignified treatment – but dignified treatment in prison. He must not persist being his own prison warden for his entire life.”

The congressman noted how Bolsonaro backers, who have spent years applauding the harsh treatment of inmates, had suddenly realized to their entitlements. “Recently has the far-right – which has consistently argued that basic rights are not for offenders – chosen to tour a prison to find out what circumstances are actually like,” he remarked.

“He is a criminal,” the congressman maintained, but that did not mean he earned “shameful, demeaning conduct”.

Likely Jail Facilities

Regardless of speculation that Bolsonaro could be moved to Papuda, which presently contains about 14,000 detainees, his expected assigned facility seems to be a nearby penitentiary for police officers and other “unique” inmates referred to as Papudinha (Small Papuda).

Its cells are much more adequate than those in the main prison, although nevertheless a far cry from the comfort Bolsonaro enjoyed while occupying the impressive presidential palace, about 20 kilometers away.

As per information, the accommodation Bolsonaro could expect to reside in in Papudinha is about 24 sq metres – approximately the dimensions of vehicle spaces – and features a 12 square meter WC with a bathing area and a 130 square foot balcony. “Bolsonaro would be allowed to have a television and even a minibar in his cell as long as they were donated by his family,” the report stated.

Ideological Comments

The lawmaker condemned the rumoured idea to send the one-time head of state to Papuda as “a form of revenge” on the part of the supreme court judge who oversaw Bolsonaro’s coup trial and will decide his future in the {