Bolsonaro's Literary Sentence Reduction: Brazil's Unique Legal Remission Through Reading

In an unexpected legal maneuver, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has received judicial authorization to potentially reduce his 27-year prison sentence through an unconventional method: reading books. This development highlights a little-known provision in Brazil's penal system that allows inmates to shorten their sentences through literary engagement, presenting a unique intersection of law, education, and justice reform. The case has drawn international attention not only for its legal novelty but also for the ironic contrast between Bolsonaro's documented disinterest in reading and the educational nature of the approved reading list.

Brazil's Sentence Reduction Program

Brazilian law contains a specific provision that permits inmates to reduce their prison sentences through educational activities, including reading books. According to the legal framework, prisoners can shorten their jail terms by four days for each book they read and successfully report on to prison authorities. This program represents Brazil's approach to rehabilitation through education, aiming to encourage intellectual development and reduce recidivism among incarcerated individuals.

The program requires genuine engagement with the material, as inmates must submit written reports demonstrating their comprehension of the books they read. This verification process ensures that participants are actually engaging with the literature rather than simply claiming to have read the material. The system has been part of Brazil's penal code for years, though its application to high-profile political figures like Bolsonaro brings unprecedented attention to its mechanisms and implications.

The Judicial Authorization

On Thursday, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge authorized Bolsonaro's participation in the sentence reduction program following a formal request from his legal team. This decision came after Bolsonaro was transferred to a maximum security prison in Brasília, where he will serve his 27-year sentence for plotting a coup against Brazil's democratic institutions. The judicial approval represents a significant development in Bolsonaro's legal proceedings, offering a potential path to reduced incarceration time through educational means.

The authorization process required judicial review to ensure Bolsonaro met the program's eligibility criteria. While the program is generally available to inmates, high-profile cases often receive additional scrutiny to maintain the integrity of the justice system. The judge's approval indicates that Bolsonaro, despite his former presidential status, will be subject to the same requirements and verification processes as other participants in the reading program.

The Approved Reading List

The justice system has approved a specific reading list for Bolsonaro that includes works addressing themes he has historically opposed or dismissed. The selection includes Brazilian literature focusing on Indigenous rights, racism, environmental protection, and critical examinations of the country's 1964-85 military dictatorship—a regime Bolsonaro openly supported during his political career.

Notable titles on the approved list include Ana Maria Gonçalves' Um Defeito de Cor (A Colour Defect), a 950-page historical novel that presents Brazilian history from the perspective of a Black woman. The list also features Democracy!, a children's non-fiction picture book by English-born author-illustrator Philip Bunting, which explains democratic principles in accessible terms. Classical literature is represented by Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace and Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, both exceeding 1,000 pages in length.

Conspicuously absent from the approved list is the book Bolsonaro once named as his favorite during the 2018 presidential election: a work by Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, a notorious army colonel accused of torturing hundreds during Brazil's dictatorship. Instead, the list includes Marcelo Rubens Paiva's I'm Still Here, which addresses the plight of prisoners who disappeared into torture centers during that same period.

Bolsonaro's Historical Relationship with Reading

The irony of Bolsonaro participating in a reading-based sentence reduction program is particularly striking given his documented disinterest in literature. During his political career, Bolsonaro openly declared, "Sorry, I don't have time to read," and admitted it had been three years since he last read a book. This attitude toward reading and intellectual engagement became emblematic of his political persona, which often prioritized action over reflection and traditional values over intellectual exploration.

Despite his general aversion to reading, Bolsonaro did occasionally appear in public with books, most notably with Winston Churchill's 1,000-plus page Memoirs of the Second World War. However, it remains unclear whether he actually read this or any other substantial work during his presidency. His preference for Ustra's book—which he described as containing "facts, data, places with real episodes" about Brazil—reflects his ideological alignment with authoritarian perspectives rather than a genuine literary interest.

Legal and Social Implications

Bolsonaro's participation in the reading program raises important questions about justice, rehabilitation, and equality before the law. While the program is theoretically available to all eligible inmates, its application to a former president convicted of serious crimes against democracy tests the system's integrity and public perception. Critics argue that allowing sentence reduction through reading might be perceived as leniency for powerful figures, while supporters maintain that equal application of existing laws strengthens rather than weakens the justice system.

The case also highlights broader debates about prison reform and rehabilitation. Brazil's reading program represents one approach to addressing high incarceration rates and limited rehabilitation resources. By incentivizing educational engagement, the system aims to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for reintegration into society. Bolsonaro's high-profile participation brings unprecedented attention to these systemic issues, potentially influencing future discussions about penal reform in Brazil and internationally.

Practical Considerations and Requirements

For Bolsonaro to benefit from the sentence reduction program, he must meet specific practical requirements. Each book read must be accompanied by a written report submitted to prison authorities, who evaluate the quality and authenticity of the work. These reports must demonstrate genuine engagement with the material, including comprehension of key themes, characters, and arguments presented in each book.

The substantial length of many approved titles—some exceeding 1,000 pages—presents a significant time commitment, particularly for someone unaccustomed to extensive reading. Given Bolsonaro's 27-year sentence, even consistent participation in the program would require years of dedicated reading to achieve substantial reduction. However, each four-day reduction represents meaningful progress toward earlier release, providing strong incentive for engagement with the program's requirements.

Conclusion

Jair Bolsonaro's judicial authorization to reduce his prison sentence through reading represents a fascinating convergence of legal procedure, educational policy, and political irony. The case highlights Brazil's unique approach to inmate rehabilitation while testing the consistency of its justice system in applying laws to both ordinary citizens and powerful former leaders. As Bolsonaro engages with a reading list featuring themes he has historically opposed, the world watches how this legal provision unfolds in practice.

The ultimate impact of this development extends beyond Bolsonaro's individual case, offering insights into broader questions about justice, rehabilitation, and the role of education in correctional systems. Whether this experience will genuinely transform Bolsonaro's relationship with literature and the ideas it contains remains uncertain, but the legal mechanism itself demonstrates how societies can innovate in their approaches to justice and personal transformation.