Florianópolis, 1 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Justice secretary, Elizabeth Sussekind, speaking at the 7th National Conference of Secretaries of Justice and Human Rights, revealed that the government is creating new openings in prisons and providing stimulus for the use of non-custodial sentencing as a solution for the problem of overcrowding.

According to Sussekind, by the end of March, 42 state centers for non-custodial sentencing will be operational. Besides reducing overcrowding, non-custodial sentencing is economical for the government. A prisoner costs an average of R$660 (US$279) per month. The savings can be plowed back into the prison system in the form of improvements. (AB)