Brazil Jails on Alert During World Cup

SAO PAULO, Brazil —  Security at the 43 jails in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state will be stepped up during the World Cup soccer finals to foil possible escape bids while inmates and guards watch the Brazilian soccer team play.

Silvio Monteiro, spokesman for the Prison Administration Secretariat of the Sao Paulo government, said special permission had been given for the state’s 30,000 prisoners to be allowed to watch Brazil’s World Cup games.

Brazil’s first game, against Russia, is Monday.

“Not letting inmates watch the games would be disastrous and could have unpredictable consequences,” Monteiro said.