Profile of incarcerated women in the interior of Brazil and the challenge of education in prison

Abstract

According to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Brazil is fourth in the world position in relation to the absolute size of female prison population, with 42.000 women deprived of freedom (2016), behind the United States, China and Russia. Around 50% are young (< 29 years old), 62% are black and 66% have not yet attended high school. This study aimed to characterize the profile of women incarcerated in a penitentiary in the interior of Brazil, through the survey of sociodemographic data, education, health, legal and life expectations. This is a descriptive and exploratory study conducted with 68 women (20 to 67 years old) in 2019 and 2020. Most women declared themselves black or brown (56%), incomplete elementary school (42%), have work experience (73%). Around 69% reported needing health treatment and 76% have already used psychoactive substances including alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine or crack. The main reasons that led to the arrest were drug trafficking (54%) and theft (26%) and the majority (53%) are repeat offenders in prison system. Regarding the biggest dream of life, the main answers were related to family life (44%), having a job (26%) and access to education (20%). With these results, an extension project was proposed to offer a professional qualification in vegetable gardens, aromatic and medicinal plants for women prisoners. In addition to professional qualification, the project is dedicated to promoting debates on map of life, ethics, human relations, citizenship, gender, women's rights and health, quality of life, body and verbal expression, digital inclusion, food and nutrition security, entrepreneurship, cooperativism, solidary economy, rights and duties of the worker, aiming at better employment conditions. This research contributed to articulate actions between university and society, empower women through access to education and allowed the work team to develop competencies related to collaborative work and interdisciplinarity. Key messages This study aimed to characterize the profile of women incarcerated in a penitentiary in Brazil, through the survey of sociodemographic data, education, health, legal and life expectations. This research contributed to articulate actions between university-society, empower incarcerated women through access to education and allowed the work team collaborative and interdisciplinarity work.