Disgraced former footballer Robinho has started his nine-year sentence for rape at Brazil’s Tremembe penitentiary. This rural prison is situated 150 kilometers northeast of Sao Paulo. He arrived on Friday and will spend at least 40% of his sentence behind bars, per Brazilian law.
As is standard protocol for inmates convicted of sexual offenses, Robinho will be held in solitary confinement for the initial ten days. Following this period, he will be integrated into the general prison population. Tremembe penitentiary houses approximately 430 inmates, with a mix of full-time prisoners like Robinho and those on a work-release program.
The prison provides basic amenities like a library, an ecumenical room, and football pitches—a cruel irony for Robinho. However, unlike weekends, visits from family and friends are not permitted during the week.
Robinho’s imprisonment stems from a 2013 incident in Italy while playing for AC Milan, where he was convicted of rape. A lengthy legal battle ensued, culminating in a ruling by one of Brazil’s highest courts that upheld the validity of the Italian conviction. Despite ongoing appeals, Robinho has been forced to begin serving his sentence.
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