The Penitentiary Court of Brazil's Sao Paulo state announced on Friday a temporary release of over 13,000 inmates on Fathers Day amid a growing tense atmosphere in Sao Paulo.

More than 13,000 inmates would spend Fathers Day at home, said the court.

According to Brazil's Penitentiary Law, inmates with good behavior will be rewarded with family reunions on five special occasions, including Easter and Christmas.

Sao Paulo has been hit by three rounds of violence since May. The latest wave of attacks by gangsters that started on Aug. 7 in several towns around Sao Paulo state was ascribed by local press

to State Public Prosecutors Office's refusal to release the inmates during Fathers Day.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Brazil warned the U.S. citizens in Sao Paulo against possible organized crimes during the weekend.

The embassy said there was a wave of violence on Mothers Day in May, and the same kind of attacks could take place during the Fathers Day due to be celebrated on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua