DEPRIVED OF DIGNITY: THE HEALTH NEEDS OF A POPULATION DEPRIVED OF FREEDOM

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594382417045

• Palavras-chave: Prisoners; Prisoners' Rights; Integrality in Health.

• Keywords: Prisoners; Prisoners' Rights; Integrality in Health.

• Abstract:

  Objective: to understand the health needs of the population deprived of liberty as a basis for proposals for comprehensive care in the prison environment. Methods: Qualitative research, with 18 people deprived of liberty in a prison in the interior of Minas Gerais. Carried out in July 2023, with data submitted to Thematic Content Analysis. Ethical aspects were respected. Results: Those deprived of liberty report numerous needs in prison, mainly regarding improvements in the physical environment, due to extreme unsanitary conditions and overcrowding, which consequently cause mental disorders, insomnia and the use of anxiolytic medications. Furthermore, they emphasize that through idleness and lack of daily activities, feelings of loneliness, non-existence and invisibility arise. Such needs demonstrate that the State does not fulfill its role in including schools, courses and opportunities in prison, which should be fundamental objectives to increase resocialization and reduce recidivism. Conclusion: Knowing the health needs of people deprived of liberty allows workers involved in this care to create intervention proposals that actually enable social reintegration. Furthermore, it also helps contribute to promoting comprehensive care and rescuing the dignity of people in prison.