THE ROLE OF NURSES IN MEN’S HEALTH IN THE PRISON SYSTEM: CHANLLENGES AND STRATEGIES IN PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of nurses in promoting and preventing the health of incarcerated men, highlighting the main ethical and structural challenges faced in the prison environment. It is a qualitative research, based on an integrative literature review, conducted through the selection of scientific articles from SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases, published between 2016 and 2024. The analysis showed that nurses play an essential role in the humanization and continuity of care within the prison system, working in health education and self-care empowerment. However, the lack of resources, insufficient specific training, and ethical dilemmas arising from institutional relations limit the autonomy and effectiveness of their practice. The results indicate that, despite the guidelines established by PNAISP, implementation remains fragmented and faces logistical and structural obstacles. It is concluded that prison nursing requires greater recognition, public policy investment, and continuous education directed toward the reality of incarceration, to ensure comprehensive and dignified care for the male prison population.