11:01am UK, Saturday August 24, 2002

A scarecrow dressed in police uniform has been found in a watchtower guarding more than 700 prisoners in a Brazilian jail.

The dummy was discovered while a judge was being given a tour of the building near Sao Paolo. It was removed and taken to court as evidence.

SP-brazil scarecrow

(Reuters)

It had apparently been there for days. "It is considered a grave breach of security rules," a police spokesperson said.

The Taubate Provisional Detention Centre was opened at the end of last year for prisoners awaiting trial. It has already suffered one escape via an underground tunnel.

Brazil's prison system is plagued with break-outs and violent riots due to extreme overcrowding, lack of funds and poor pay for prison guards.