# Inside Lula's Prison Days: A Jailer's Perspective New book reveals intimate details of Lula's 580-day incarceration in Curitiba. - **Source:** [Folha – Poder](https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e14046f5-44bb-4fa8-ad01-da57e3d43d5d ## A Unique Historical Document The book 'Banho de Sol: Os 580 dias de Lula na Prisão' offers a rare perspective on the former president's incarceration. Written by Jorge Chastalo Filho, the federal police agent assigned to guard him in Curitiba, it serves as a detailed diary documenting the daily routines and private reflections of the prisoner. ## Routine and Personal Resilience Chastalo meticulously recorded Lula's life behind bars, including the arrival of his exercise treadmill on May 13, 2018. Despite the confinement, Lula maintained a firm conviction that he would eventually return to the Planalto Palace. The narrative captures the complex, cordial dynamic that developed between the prisoner and his primary jailer. ## Candid Political Assessments Lula offered blunt critiques of his political allies during his time in prison. He described former President Dilma Rousseff as efficient at following orders but lacking in decision-making capacity. He also reflected on the impeachment process, admitting that the party failed to treat former Vice President Michel Temer with necessary respect. ## Personal Life Behind Bars The prison environment did not isolate Lula from his personal life. Chastalo facilitated a private, one-hour meeting between Lula and his girlfriend on July 30, 2018. Shortly thereafter, Lula announced his commitment, proudly displaying a silver ring to his jailer, signaling a significant personal milestone amidst his legal and political struggles. ## Confidence in Future Elections Throughout his detention, Lula remained remarkably confident about his electoral prospects. He consistently predicted that the Workers' Party would win, even when he was barred from running himself. He believed his personal connection with the electorate remained stronger than that of his political rivals, including Jair Bolsonaro and Marina Silva. ## Reflections on Poverty Lula often drew upon his humble origins during conversations with his jailer. He recounted experiences of extreme poverty, such as living in a thirty-square-meter house with five children. These memories shaped his interactions with other world leaders, as he felt his lived experience provided a unique, grounded perspective on global governance. ## Anticipating Political Shifts Lula demonstrated a keen awareness of ongoing political investigations. He warned Chastalo that the authorities would face challenges regarding investigations into the Bolsonaro family's financial dealings. This foresight underscored his continued engagement with national politics, even while physically removed from the public sphere during his 580-day stay in Curitiba. ## Historical Significance of Memoirs This memoir provides an essential primary source for understanding a pivotal period in Brazilian history. By humanizing the experience of a high-profile political prisoner, the book offers insights into the intersection of personal endurance and national power. It remains a critical record of the tensions that defined the 2018-2019 political landscape. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/poder/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/eliogaspari/2026/11/lula-e-seu-carcereiro.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._