On Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, legal experts said that jailed former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro could be eligible for a semi-open prison regime by 2032 after serving about six years and ten months of his 27-year-and-three-month sentence.
His conviction for attempted coup, participation in an armed criminal organization and the violent abolition of democratic rule of law became final this year when all appeals were exhausted. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro to be held in a 12-square-meter cell at Federal Police headquarters in Brasilia following an alleged attempt to cut off his electronic ankle monitor.
Under Brazil's Penal Execution Law, prisoners convicted of violent offenses must serve at least 25% of their term before requesting transfer to a semi-open regime. With a total sentence of 9,945 days, Bolsonaro reaches that threshold after 2,486 days—roughly six years and ten months—pointing to eligibility around 2032.
Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, is also barred from holding public office by Brazil's electoral court. His potential shift to a semi-open regime highlights broader debates on accountability, rehabilitation and how justice systems handle high-profile convictions worldwide.
Key details:
- Original sentence: 27 years, 3 months (9,945 days).
- Eligibility: after serving 25%—2,486 days (~6 years, 10 months).
- Current detention: 12-square-meter cell at Federal Police HQ, Brasilia.
- Barred from public office by electoral court.
Reference(s):
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro may enter a semi-open regime by 2032
cgtn.com
