Psychology in the Brazilian Prison System: An Account of Professional Experience

Abstract

This is a report of the psychologist's professional experience in the context of the Brazilian Prison System. A methodology of the Focus Groups and the content analysis technique were used to address this context from the perspective of nine people deprived of liberty. The theoretical framework for social cognition was adopted to discuss the experience, especially beliefs, stereotypes and prejudices about privation of liberty, crime and drugs (use and trafficking). The experience allowed to investigate, among other indicators, the difficulty of providing adherence of subjects deprived of freedom to psychology work due to beliefs, stereotypes and prejudices related to involvement with crime. The types of individual and group representations resulting from content from characteristics attributed to persons depriving freedom due to crime involving drug trafficking were found. These representations trigger rejection of these people explained in social prejudice from the combination of unfavorable and negative beliefs and feelings. Finally, it was found that the methodology used combined with the theoretical contribution of Social Cognition, can guide the design of research, as well as the guidance and plans of work of the professional performance of the Psychologist in the context of the Brazilian Prison System, which is deficient in this performance.