MANAGEMENT OF PRISON SYSTEMS: THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC MANAGER IN THE RESOCIALIZATION OF PRISONERS

Abstract

The work “Prison System Management: the role of the public manager in the resocialization of prisoners” is a contribution to the contemporary debate about the social function of penitentiary institutions and the responsibility of public managers in implementing policies that promote human dignity and social reintegration. Over the last few decades, incarceration has ceased to be just a matter of public security and has become a complex issue that involves human rights, public policies, social justice and citizenship.

In the international context, discussions about prison management have intensified, especially with regard to promoting dignified conditions for people deprived of their liberty. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) emphasize that the prison system must respect the fundamental rights of incarcerated individuals, seeking their rehabilitation and return to life in society (UN, 2015). Efficient, humane prison management guided by ethical values ​​is considered a key element in this process. According to Bayley (2006), prison administration must incorporate criteria of equity, effectiveness and legality, going beyond an exclusively punitive focus.

The actions of public managers, in this sense, are essential to transform the prison environment into a space for the reconstruction of social trajectories. As Cordeiro (2013) highlights, prison management must be aligned with intersectoral policies, with a focus on education, work and health, contributing to a justice that transcends incarceration and achieves full citizenship.

In Brazil, the challenges of prison management are evident in a system marked by overcrowding, precarious infrastructure and the fragility of reintegration programs. The 1988 Federal Constitution, in its article 5, item XLIX, guarantees prisoners respect for their physical and moral integrity, reflecting the need for a management model committed to the principles of human dignity (BRASIL, 1988). The Penal Enforcement Act (Law No. 7,210/1984), in turn, states that the purpose of the sentence should be the social reintegration of the prisoner, which requires coordinated actions between the State, society and the justice system (BRASIL, 1984).

Studies such as those by Minayo et al. (2016) and Oliveira (2019) demonstrate that the success of resocialization depends on effective public policies, ongoing training of professionals in the prison system and the qualified performance of public managers. These, by occupying a strategic position, must be able to coordinate resources, plan effective interventions and promote restorative practices that contribute to reducing criminal recidivism.

In this scenario of structural, social and administrative challenges that permeate prison systems, the book “PRISON SYSTEM MANAGEMENT: THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC MANAGER IN THE RESOCIALIZATION OF THE PRISONER” was published. This work was written for public administrators, public safety professionals, students of administration, law, social work, public policy, sociology, and pedagogy, as well as researchers and others interested in the subject of prison management and social reintegration.

Based on an analytical and well-founded approach, the book is organized into three chapters, carefully structured to provide a broad understanding of the historical, legal, institutional, and practical aspects of prison management.

Chapter 1 – Prison presents a historical and conceptual overview of prison as an instrument of social control, analyzing its origin, transformations, and the role it plays in contemporary times. The meaning of the custodial sentence, its social implications, and the challenges involved in its application from the perspective of human rights and resocialization are discussed.

Chapter 2 – Brazilian Penitentiary System provides a diagnosis of the Brazilian prison system, addressing its structural characteristics, the main obstacles faced by penal institutions, and the legal foundations that govern its organization. The discussion also focuses on the role of public managers in the administration of these units, highlighting their responsibility in implementing policies and practices that ensure the dignity and rights of prisoners. Finally, chapter 3, “Strategies for the Reintegration of Prisoners,” presents proposals and experiences aimed at the social reintegration of people deprived of their liberty, including education programs, professional training, prison work, psychosocial assistance, and cultural activities. The importance of strategic and coordinated action by public managers as agents for mobilizing resources, policies, and effective actions for reintegration is emphasized.

Reading this book represents a valuable opportunity to initiate reflections and discussions on the role of public administrators in the prison world, contributing to the construction of more humane and efficient administrative practices aimed at promoting social justice. By proposing this debate, the book aims to shed light on the need to transform spaces of deprivation of liberty into environments that favor the reconstruction of lives and the valorization of citizenship.

The authors,

Dieyson Rodrigo Gonçalvez

Giovana Sopelsa Schunke

Jean Carlos Schaefer

Fabiane Andressa Werlang

Vanderli Fernandes

Greici Castiglioni Pereira Carpes

Daiana dos Santos