Brasília, 9/15/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Justice, Márcio Thomaz Bastos, says that, within budgetary limits, he can guarantee federal assistance for states in dealing with the penitentiary system crisis.

According to the minister, fully 90% of the costs of building prisons come from the federal government. "We are committed to assisting all the states," he said, adding that the problem in the system was not restricted to the need for new prisons. Bastos pointed out the need for police and prison guard training, emphasizing that it has to include "respect for human rights as well as efficiency." (AB)