THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FORENSICS IN THE PRISON SYSTEM: CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study investigates the challenges of psychological forensics in the Brazilian prison system, considering its consolidation within the field of Forensic Psychology and its interfaces with law and criminal enforcement. The choice of this topic is justified by the scarcity of specific research and the social relevance of psychologists' work in prison settings characterized by overcrowding, degrading conditions, and human rights violations. The objective is to critically analyze the historical development of Forensic Psychology, the specificity of psychological forensics, the trajectory of the prison system, and the difficulties psychologists face in their daily practice. The methodology adopted is applied, with a qualitative approach, exploratory and descriptive in nature, based on a bibliographic and documentary review. Scientific articles, official reports, and professional regulations were examined, allowing for a systematized state-of-the-art analysis of the topic. The results demonstrate that Forensic Psychology is gradually consolidating its position as an interdisciplinary field, that psychological forensic examinations require methodological and ethical rigor, and that the Brazilian prison system remains structured according to a punitive model, incapable of fully ensuring the health and dignity of inmates. The conclusion is that the hypothesis that psychological forensic examinations face structural, ethical, and institutional limitations in the prison environment is confirmed. The study also indicates that strengthening forensic practice depends on the expansion of public policies, specialized training, and the psychologist's commitment to promoting human rights.