Condições de vida e saúde do homem encarcerado em uma penitenciária do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

The prison system was thought of as a mechanism for the resocialization of those who have deviant behavior, however, the precarious structural conditions of its units are inversely proportional to the exacerbated growth of incarceration, configuring them in unhealthy environments, unsuitable for human coexistence and their resocialization. The National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Prison System (PNAISP) was created in 2014 to strengthen the health rights of persons deprived of liberty, bringing with it a humanitarian character. The objective of the study is to analyze the life and health conditions of men incarcerated in a penitentiary in northeastern Brazil. This is a qualitative study with an exploratory approach, carried out with 10 prisoners serving time at the Male Penitentiary Baldomero Cavalcanti de Oliveira, located in Maceió/AL. The methodological strategy of Roda de Conversa was used for data collection, where men serving a custodial sentence participated in intense dialogues about their experiences in prison, which resulted in the themes: Risk, exposure and insecurity; Lack of state protection; and Cultural Aspects. Secondary data followed the following variables: age group, self-declared race/color/ethnicity, education, marital status, educational activities and work activities, between 2015 and 2019. After analysis, it was found that the Alagoan prison system presents a target profile of the penal system: young, black, single and with low education are the majority in prisons. The percentage of prisoners who carry out educational activities and labor therapy was 3.9% and 9.8%, respectively, lower than the average for other states. Pre-trial detainees are 33.44% and are awaiting sentence, victims of judicial delays. A convergence of opinions related to the life and health conditions of the man deprived of liberty was identified, showing deficient structural conditions - the neglect with food, exposure to diseases and overcrowding - precarious health conditions - infectious diseases, stress and loneliness - and the absence of the State due to prison health needs – lack of professionals, medicines, health actions and there are obstacles to the follow-up of criminal processes. The degrading conditions of the prison end up being a second penalty in addition to that assigned by the judicial system, and the fateful reality is the negligence of what is recommended by the PNAISP and society remains blinded in this regard. It is proposed, therefore, that the work supports new possibilities for changes in the field studied, highlighting its inequities with a view to expanding access to health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for all persons deprived of liberty.