# Law No. 3212 of July 19, 1957

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649298)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3212-of-july-19-1957

## Summary
Law No. 3212 of July 19, 1957, is a Brazilian statute that renamed the Central Penitentiary of the Federal District to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito." Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, this law represents a formal legal act within Brazil's federal legislative framework, specifically addressing the administrative designation of a correctional facility in the then-capital, Rio de Janeiro.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3212, de 19 de julho de 1957 (Law No. 3212 of July 19, 1957)
- **Type of Legislation:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal law of Brazil, applicable to the Federal District
- **Enactment Date:** July 19, 1957
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President Juscelino Kubitschek)
- **Publication Location:** Rio de Janeiro (then-capital of Brazil)
- **Main Subject:** Renaming of the Central Penitentiary of the Federal District to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito"
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3212/1957
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-07-19;3212
- **Digital Availability:** Full text available at [Planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3212.htm)
- **WikiProject:** Included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws
- **Copyright Status:** Public domain (as an official Brazilian government document)

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 3212 of 1957 actually do?**
This law specifically renames the Central Penitentiary of the Federal District to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito." It is a focused administrative statute that changes the official designation of a correctional facility, reflecting Brazil's legal process for institutional naming conventions.

**Who signed Law No. 3212 into effect?**
The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on July 19, 1957, during his term as President of Brazil (1956–1961). Kubitschek's presidency was marked by significant infrastructure projects and administrative reforms, including the eventual construction of Brasília as the new capital.

**Where was this law officially published?**
The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital until April 22, 1960, when the federal government relocated to Brasília. This places the law within the historical context of Brazil's pre-Brasília administrative framework.

**Is the full text of Law No. 3212 available online?**
Yes, the complete text is accessible through Brazil's official legislative portal at [Planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3212.htm). It is also indexed in the LexML Brazil legal database under the identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-07-19;3212`.

**What is the significance of the name "Lemos Brito"?**
While the law does not specify the reason for the renaming, "Lemos Brito" likely refers to a historical figure or official associated with Brazil's penitentiary system or justice administration. Such namings typically honor individuals who contributed to the institution's development or reform.

**How is this law classified in legal databases?**
In knowledge systems, Law No. 3212 is classified as an instance of a "statute," which is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It is part of Brazil's federal legislative corpus and is categorized under statutory law.

**Does this law apply only to the Federal District?**
Yes, the law specifically applies to the Federal District, which at the time of enactment referred to the territory containing Rio de Janeiro (then the capital). After 1960, the Federal District became associated with Brasília, but this law remains relevant to the historical jurisdiction it addressed.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3212 of 1957 matters as a concrete example of Brazil's legislative process for institutional administration. While seemingly minor, such statutes are essential for maintaining clarity in government operations, particularly in the justice system. The renaming of correctional facilities often reflects broader administrative priorities or historical recognition, and this law provides insight into how Brazil's federal government managed penitentiary infrastructure during the mid-20th century.

The law also serves as a historical marker, illustrating the administrative continuity between Rio de Janeiro's tenure as capital and the transition to Brasília. For legal researchers, it demonstrates the structure of Brazilian statutory law, including promulgation procedures, publication requirements, and the role of presidential authority in enacting legislation. As a public domain document, it contributes to the transparency of Brazil's legal system, ensuring that even administrative acts are accessible to citizens and scholars.

## Notable For
- **Specific Administrative Act:** One of many Brazilian statutes focused on institutional renaming, illustrating the granular nature of federal legislation.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during Juscelino Kubitschek's presidency, a period of significant national development projects.
- **Federal District Focus:** Directly addresses the administrative structure of Brazil's capital territory before the relocation to Brasília.
- **Public Domain Status:** Freely accessible as an official government document, ensuring transparency in legal records.
- **LexML Integration:** Indexed in Brazil's comprehensive legal database system, facilitating digital access and citation.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Demonstrates the executive's role in enacting federal laws, with clear attribution to President Kubitschek.
- **Correctional System Documentation:** Provides a legal record of changes within Brazil's penitentiary infrastructure.

## Body

### Legislative Details and Enactment
Law No. 3212 of July 19, 1957, is a federal statute of Brazil that formally renamed the Central Penitentiary of the Federal District to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito." The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served as Brazil's 21st president from 1956 to 1961. Kubitschek's administration is best known for the "Plano de Metas" (Targets Plan), which aimed to modernize Brazil's infrastructure and economy, including the construction of Brasília as the new capital.

The law follows the standard legislative process for Brazilian federal statutes, beginning as a draft law before being approved and promulgated. Its publication in Rio de Janeiro reflects the city's status as the capital at the time, as the federal government had not yet relocated to Brasília. The statute is classified as a formal written document creating law, fitting within the broader category of statutory law.

### Content and Scope
The primary function of Law No. 3212 is administrative: it changes the official name of a correctional facility. The Central Penitentiary of the Federal District, located in Rio de Janeiro, was renamed "Penitenciária Lemos Brito" through this legislative act. While the law does not provide explicit reasoning for the renaming, such changes typically honor individuals who have contributed to the institution or the broader justice system.

The statute is concise, focusing solely on the renaming without introducing additional legal provisions or reforms. This specificity is characteristic of administrative statutes, which often address singular bureaucratic or institutional matters rather than broad policy changes.

### Legal Classification and Documentation
In legal and bibliographic systems, Law No. 3212 is categorized as an instance of a "statute," which is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It is part of Brazil's federal legislative corpus and is indexed under the Dewey Decimal classifications 342.057 (constitutional and administrative law) and 348.02 (laws, regulations, and cases).

The law is assigned multiple identifiers for legal and bibliographic reference:
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-07-19;3212`
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3212/1957
- **Wikidata Description:** "Brazilian law"

These identifiers ensure the law's traceability in legal databases and research systems, facilitating citation and historical reference.

### Publication and Accessibility
Law No. 3212 was officially published in Rio de Janeiro on July 19, 1957. The full text is available through multiple official channels:
- **Planalto.gov.br:** The Brazilian government's legislative portal hosts the complete text at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3212.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3212.htm).
- **LexML Brazil:** The law is indexed in Brazil's legal information system, ensuring integration with other federal statutes.

As an official government document, the law is in the public domain, meaning it is not subject to copyright restrictions. This status aligns with Brazil's legal tradition of making legislative texts freely accessible to citizens, researchers, and legal professionals.

### Historical and Administrative Context
The enactment of Law No. 3212 occurred during a transformative period in Brazilian history. President Kubitschek's administration was characterized by ambitious development projects, including the construction of Brasília, which became the new capital in 1960. The law's focus on the Federal District—then centered in Rio de Janeiro—highlights the administrative continuity required during this transition.

The renaming of the Central Penitentiary to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito" may reflect broader efforts to modernize or reorganize Brazil's correctional system. While the law itself does not provide details about Lemos Brito, the name likely commemorates a figure significant to the institution or the justice system, a common practice in Brazilian administrative naming conventions.

### Relationship to Brazil's Legal System
Law No. 3212 exemplifies the structure and function of Brazilian statutory law. As a federal statute, it was enacted through the legislative process, approved by the executive branch, and published in the official gazette. Its focus on a specific administrative change demonstrates how federal laws can address localized institutional matters while maintaining national legal standards.

The law is part of Brazil's broader legal framework for penitentiary administration, which includes statutes governing prison operations, inmate rights, and institutional oversight. While Law No. 3212 does not introduce new policies, it contributes to the legal record of Brazil's correctional system, ensuring clarity in institutional designations.

### Digital Presence and Research
Law No. 3212 is included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, a collaborative effort to document and organize information about Brazil's legislative history. Its digital availability through official portals and legal databases ensures that it remains accessible for historical, legal, and administrative research.

The law's presence in structured data systems, such as LexML Brazil, facilitates its integration into broader legal research tools. This digital infrastructure supports transparency and accountability in Brazil's legal system, allowing citizens and scholars to trace the evolution of administrative statutes over time.

### Comparison with Other Statutes
Unlike comprehensive legislative acts that introduce sweeping reforms, Law No. 3212 is an example of a focused administrative statute. Its scope is limited to a single institutional renaming, distinguishing it from broader penal or judicial reforms. This specificity is common in federal statutes that address bureaucratic or institutional matters without altering substantive law.

The law's structure—short, direct, and focused on a single administrative act—reflects the efficiency of Brazil's legislative process for routine governmental functions. It contrasts with more complex statutes that may span multiple articles and address diverse legal issues.

### Legacy and Impact
While Law No. 3212 may appear minor in scope, it contributes to the broader narrative of Brazil's legal and administrative history. The renaming of the Central Penitentiary to "Penitenciária Lemos Brito" is a permanent change reflected in official records, institutional documentation, and historical accounts of Brazil's correctional system.

The law also serves as a reference point for understanding the administrative priorities of Kubitschek's presidency. During this era, Brazil underwent significant modernization, and even small legislative acts like this one reflect the government's attention to institutional organization and clarity.

For legal historians and researchers, Law No. 3212 provides a case study in how federal statutes address administrative changes, offering insight into the procedural and substantive aspects of Brazilian legislative practice. Its continued accessibility ensures that it remains part of the public record, contributing to the transparency and accountability of Brazil's legal system.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1957-07-19;3212)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3212&ano=1957&data=19/07/1957&ato=b88ATRE9UMNRVT92a)
3. LexML Brasil