Dearn's Blog: Time spent in Carandiru

Candiru, the vampire fish from the Brazil (also known as toothpick fish) These smaller species are known for an tendency to invade and parasitise the human urethra (Jap’s eye on a guys private parts for the anatomically unawares amongst us) or the vaginal canal in a lady were it then opens out its spines which are like external spikes and wedges itself in place and can only be extracted by operation (or amputation on some guys is the early days…does not bare thinking about) It is attracted to urine, as the candiru's primary prey emits urea (chemical compound similar to pee) from its gills. (Just dont pee in the water if you go for a swim in a lake in Brazil)

Candiru fish

Just to make this clear…this post is about my experience with Carandiru (the prison) not Candiru (the fish) …just hate to get them mixed up, not that what was once the largest jail in South America would ever fit up my urethra, that would just be an idle boast.

I kid you not

Carandiru Penitentiary was a notorious prison located in São Paulo, Brazil. It was operational from 1956 to 2002 and, at its peak, was South America's largest penitentiary, housing over 8,000 inmates. Best remembered for the 1992 Carandiru massacre. The incident was sparked by inmate revolt, and police made little to no effort to negotiate with prisoners. Military police were eventually sent to the facility, as prison guards were unable to control the situation. One-hundred-and-eleven prisoners died that day, 102 of whom were shot by police, with the remaining nine victims succumbing to stab wounds presumably inflicted by other prisoners prior to police arriving. Surviving inmates claim that police opened fire on inmates who had surrendered, or were hiding inside of their cells. The incident is considered one of the worst civil rights violations in the history of Brazil, and the operation's commanding officer was sentenced to 632 years in jail for his horrendous mishandling of the situation, though his sentence was voided. He was assassinated in September of 2006. Carandiru was demolished in December of 2002 but lucky me was able to visit it before being knocked down, although all the inmates had already been transferred by this time (so no tales of required soap on a rope for this Gringo)

Welcome to Carandiru

I was able to have a wander around and take a few pictures. Also worth mentioning there is also an excellent film (Brazilian but with English subtitles) made and released in 2003 by director Hector Babenco, it’s based on the book “Estação Carandiru” by Dr. Drauzio Varella, a physician and AIDS specialist, who is portrayed in the film by Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos

Carandiru

Someone had stole the doors for scrap..Honestly!! the place is full of thiefs!!

It’s a very creepy experience walking around the prison, there is graffiti on the walls, still posters clinging to the walls and believe it or not I even found a “homemade” bomb lying around. This is not a tourist attraction by any means and although just a hop off the metro train it is a deserted place with no sign of life, not even a bird chirping. No a place to a softy gringo like myself to hang around too long but very interesting considering its history.