Current Date: 26 Jan, 2026
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Brazilian gang leader attempts to escape from Rio de Janeiro prison by dressing up as his daughter

In 2019, a Brazilian gang leader tried to escape from prison by dressing up as his daughter when she visited him behind bars and walking out of the penitentiary's main door in her place.

When his daughter paid him a visit while he was incarcerated, a Brazilian gang leader attempted to sneak out of the prison by dressing like her and leaving through the main entrance in her place.

But according to prison officials, Clauvino da Silva, also known as “Shorty,” gave himself away when he tried to escape the prison in the western region of Rio de Janeiro while dressed as a woman.

It seems that his intention was to leave his daughter, who is 19 years old, in jail.

Brazilian leader attempts to escape prison by dressing up as his daughter 1
Gang leader Clauvino da Silva’s escape attempt was foiled by prison authorities.(AP: Rio de Janeiro Penitentiary Administration Secretariat)

Photos of da Silva wearing a long, dark-haired wig and a silicon girl’s mask, along with tight jeans and a pink shirt featuring a cartoon image of doughnuts, were released by Rio’s State Secretary of Prison Administration.

Additionally, a video featuring da Silva taking off his mask and some of his clothes and uttering his full name was made public.

Brazilian leader attempts to escape prison by dressing up as his daughter 2
Clauvino da Silva has been moved to a maximum-security prison after the failed escape attempt.(AP: Rio de Janeiro Penitentiary Administration Secretariat)

Authorities claim that da Silva was a member of the leadership of the Red Command, one of Brazil’s most potent criminal organizations that dominated the drug trade throughout a sizable portion of Rio.

Following his abortive attempt at escape, da Silva was moved to a maximum-security prison unit and is expected to face disciplinary action, according to officials.

Brazilian leader attempts to escape prison by dressing up as his daughter 3
Brazilian prison authorities released images of the man’s wig, mask and clothing.(AP: Rio de Janeiro Penitentiary Administration Secretariat)
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