Rethinking Social Reintegration and Prison: A Critical Analysis of an Educational Proposal for an Alternative Model in Brazil

Abstract:

The call for social reintegration of prisoners, in many cases, does not work or has been abandoned, leaving the question of inclusivity regarding the imprisoned an open challenge in contemporary societies. My study provides a critical analysis of a model defined as an educational system of social reintegration, which aspires to be an alternative to imprisonment in Brazil and worldwide by proposing a reduction in the recidivism rate at a lower cost. I discuss the possibilities of social reintegration and the educational conceptions and practices that can emerge from it, though a document analysis and ethnography of two model units. Starting from an already-existing model, I argue that, even in an extremely difficult context, it is possible to build a proposal for social reintegration that goes beyond mere bureaucratic marketing. This can improve the prospects of imprisoned people’s re-entry into society, despite the persistence of stigmatisation and other difficulties attending their return to a society affected by high unemployment rates.

Keywords: prison education, rehabilitation, re-entry, prison sociology, adult education.