01/02/2019

Prisoner from the interior of São Paulo wins gold medal at OBMEP.

O colombiano Edisson Murillo, que cumpre pena em Itaí, é o primeiro detento na história do torneio a faturar o prêmio máximo

Reproduction of the article published in the Jornal da Cidade, from Bauru (SP)

“The only way out is education. I've seen that horizon, but I didn't pursue it. However, I know it still exists and that I can reach it. It only depends on me.” This is a quote from inmate Edisson Humberto Barbativa Murillo, 33, describing his feeling of accomplishment after receiving a gold medal at the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP). The award was presented to the Colombian last week (January 24th) at the “Cabo PM Marcelo Pires da Silva” Penitentiary in Itaí (Avaré region) – a prison for foreign nationals. This is the first time in the history of the national tournament that a prisoner has won the top prize, according to the competition organizers.

Edisson participated in the competition in 2017 (13th edition of the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools), but the medal was only made available now. At the time, he was in middle school at the affiliated school, located inside the prison, and was encouraged by his math teacher to register for the tournament.

The results of the 14th Olympics, held last year, were recently released, and nine other inmates serving sentences in prisons covered by the Northwest Region Prison Units Coordination (CRN) were also awarded: two won medals (silver and bronze), and the rest received honorable mentions.

HEAVY COMPETITION

The Colombian medalist faced stiff competition. The first phase of the Olympiad brought together 18 million registered participants, with 900,000 advancing to the next stage. "Of that total, only 500 gold medals were awarded to the entire country," enumerates the Regional Coordinator of the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (Region SP01 – Presidente Prudente), José Carlos Rodrigues.

Edisson came to Brazil in 2007 to escape the violence in Colombia. "There was a lot of persecution of young people," he says. In 2014, he was arrested for drug trafficking and has been serving his sentence in Itaí ever since.

He says he always had a knack for learning and decided to sign up for the Olympiad to test his knowledge. “I accepted the challenge and thought, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ I never imagined I would get this far. For me, it’s a great victory.”

The director of the affiliated school, Tânia Cristina Moraes de Queiroz, argues that education is the only way to transform a person. "Here [in prison], it [education] fulfills the role of reintegrating the inmate into society, so that he can reach for new horizons."

According to Gilberto Aparecido de Farias, director of the Work and Education Center at the prison, the inmate's achievement is the result of teamwork. "This is also due to the presence of teachers in the classroom, inside the prison."

'My internet is books'

Currently, Edisson is a monitor in the prison library. He is responsible for taking care of more than 22,000 books – the collection contains copies in 37 languages. “My internet is books. I will continue my studies and, when I leave prison, I intend to invest in my professional career. I want to go to college and, who knows, become a math teacher,” he concludes.

ALMOST DOUBLED

Prisoner participation has been growing with each edition of the Olympics. To give you an idea, the number of registrations from prisons linked to the CRN (National Reintegration Center) almost doubled in one year. Last year alone, there were 4,094 registered participants – an increase of 47.26% compared to 2017, when 2,780 registrations were recorded.

Developed by the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) has been a reality in the São Paulo prison system since 2012, when it began to be implemented in the penal units of the Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (SAP).

Prisoners from Serra Azul and Ribeirão Preto win silver and bronze medals.

Silver medalist at the last edition of the Olympics (2018), inmate Wellington Thiago Salles Carmessamo, 37, is eagerly awaiting to receive his medal from the tournament organizers. The date of the ceremony has not yet been announced.

He is serving his sentence at the Serra Azul II Penitentiary and says his passion for numbers began in childhood. With this achievement, Wellington feels even more motivated to seek new challenges. "When I'm free, I dream of studying business management in college," he projects.

The Ribeirão Preto Penitentiary also has a medalist: inmate Davi Ferreira de Menezes, 41, won bronze in last year's Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP). "The feeling is one of extreme joy. This means that there are doors open for my future," he rejoices.

Now, he intends to invest even more in his studies. “I thought that getting into college at my age wasn’t possible, but this achievement made me believe that I am capable. And these are my plans for when I return to life in society: never give up,” he concludes.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Seven other inmates were awarded honorable mentions at the 2018 Olympics, highlighting the prisons where they are serving their sentences. These are: the Reintegration Center (CR) and Penitentiary II of Avaré; the penitentiaries of Cerqueira César; Franca; Iaras; Itaí; and Araraquara.

School education in SAP prison units

Prisoners who lack formal education can complete their studies while serving their sentences through affiliated schools located within the prisons, which offer primary and secondary education. Inmates also participate in language courses, vocational training, and higher education programs.