THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON IN THE BRAZILIAN PRISON SYSTEM: BETWEEN LEGAL PROVISIONS AND PRISON REALITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66104/89h3em79Keywords:
Dignity of the human person; Brazilian prison system; Fundamental rights; Prison population; Rehabilitation.Abstract
The principle of human dignity, a fundamental principle of the Democratic Rule of Law enshrined in Article 1, item III, of the 1988 Federal Constitution, ensures the intrinsic value of every individual, imposing on the State the duty to respect, protect, and promote minimum conditions of existence, including within the prison context. Even when faced with criminal activity and deprivation of liberty, incarcerated individuals remain holders of inalienable fundamental rights. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the application of this principle in the Brazilian penitentiary system, identifying the mismatch between normative guarantees and prison reality. A qualitative methodology is adopted, based on bibliographic review, legislative analysis, and examination of relevant doctrinal and scientific productions. Recurring structural problems will be discussed, such as overcrowding, precarious sanitation, insufficient healthcare, security failures, and the fragility of resocialization policies. These factors contribute to the systematic violation of the dignity of inmates and reveal the ineffectiveness of existing public policies. It is concluded that structural reforms and the implementation of integrated public policies are necessary to ensure the effective protection of fundamental rights and promote a more humane, just, and constitutionally compliant penal system committed to the reintegration of individuals.
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