Organized Crime, Organized Punishment? State Violence and Prison Gang Governance in Urban Brazil

Since the turn of the century, the urban poor in São Paulo, Brazil, have been ruled by two overlapping powers. One is the police, a militarized force known for its brutality and disregard for the law. The other is the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a prison gang turned international criminal organization. While running a massive drug business in the slums, the PCC keeps checks on violence and operates a complex judicial system. Offenders are punished in debates: clandestine trials where the accused and the victim testify to a jury of PCC members, who jointly decide on a verdict. Meanwhile, in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, the Comando Vermelho (CV) has competed with the state for territory and influence over civilians for more than 40 years. However, the group’s efforts to administer justice are marked by the dictates of crime “bosses,” the extension of privileges to local powerholders, and the indiscriminate use of force. Why do some criminal groups institutionalize their punishment of civilians, while others use violence arbitrarily?