The petition concerns the detention conditions of people deprived of liberty in the Prison Complex of Pedrinhas in the city of São Luis in the state of Maranhão.

During 2013, over 40 people died and dozens were injured due to violent conflicts between rival criminal factions and uprisings. These incidents - which put at risk the life and physical integrity of inmates and others who work in the prison such as security agents, employees and visitors – led the Inter-American Court to issue provisional measures.