Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of former President Jair Bolsonaro to significantly larger prison quarters, moving him from a federal police holding cell to a facility with an outdoor area.
Court Orders Transfer to "More Favorable Conditions"
On Thursday 15 January 2026, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled that Bolsonaro should be moved from the federal police headquarters in Brasilia to the Papuda Penitentiary Complex in the capital. The court described the new location as offering "more favorable conditions" for high-profile detainees.
Bolsonaro, who has been serving a 27-year prison sentence since November for attempting a coup after his 2022 election loss, had been held in a 12-square-metre room. His legal team had repeatedly sought a transfer to house arrest, citing medical grounds, while his family alleged mistreatment and inadequate healthcare.
Details of the New Prison Accommodation
The new cell ordered by Justice de Moraes is substantially more spacious. Bolsonaro will now occupy a 54-square-metre room with a 10-square-metre private outdoor area he can access at will. The Supreme Court's press office confirmed the transfer had already been executed.
The accommodation resembles an apartment, featuring:
- A double bed
- A kitchen and laundry area
- A living room
- An outdoor space
Furthermore, the ruling grants Bolsonaro increased family visitation time and mandates the installation of physiotherapy equipment, including a treadmill and exercise bicycle. Justice de Moraes also stipulated that Bolsonaro can receive 24-hour care from his own private doctors without prior notification and ordered a medical examination to assess if a move to a penitentiary hospital is necessary.
Court Rejects Claims and Reaffirms Gravity of Crimes
In his decision, Justice de Moraes firmly rejected accusations of poor treatment. He stated there had been a "systematic attempt to delegitimize the regular and lawful execution" of Bolsonaro's sentence, which he said was carried out with "full respect for human dignity."
The justice emphasised the seriousness of Bolsonaro's convictions, noting the custodial sentence was not a "hotel stay or a vacation colony" as implied by the former president's supporters. Bolsonaro was convicted by a panel of Supreme Court justices for leading an armed criminal organisation and attempting to violently overthrow Brazil's democracy.
The plot included plans to assassinate current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice de Moraes himself, and involved encouraging the January 2023 insurrection. Bolsonaro has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The former president's health has been a point of concern; he has made several hospital visits since his imprisonment, most recently after a fall from bed. He has also faced ongoing health issues since being stabbed at a campaign event in 2018.
