Volunteer work and the resocialization of people deprived of their liberty in the Brazilian prison system: The experience of APAC in Ji-Paraná.
Brazilian Prison System, Volunteer Work, APAC, Resocialization, Human Rights.
This study presents an investigation into the transformative role of volunteer work in the Brazilian prison system, with a focus on the Association for the Protection and Assistance of Convicts (APAC), particularly in the unit of Ji-Paraná/Rondonia. The research compares the humanized model of APACs with the conventional prison system. The central objective is to examine whether the social action promoted by these volunteers yields positive results for the resocialization and social reintegration of individuals deprived of liberty. In the face of the predominantly punitive nature of the traditional prison system and its remote purpose of resocialization. In contrast, APACs employ an approach centered on humanization and intensive volunteer work, which demonstrates superior effectiveness in reducing criminal recidivism and improving the execution of criminal sentences. The research discusses the concept and principles of volunteer work and its significance in the prison context. It also explores the possibility and benefits of incorporating volunteer work into the traditional prison system, considering the complexities and security challenges involved. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of society in resocialization, emphasizing the lack of research on the impact of volunteers in APACs. The approach adopted is qualitative-quantitative, starting with a comprehensive literature review to theoretically ground the study. Special emphasis is placed on the role of volunteer work, evaluating its effectiveness and impact on the social reinsertion of prisoners and the improvement of penal execution. The methodology also includes a case study at the APAC in Ji-Paraná/RO, with data collection carried out through a questionnaire applied to volunteers, seeking to understand their perceptions about of the effectiveness of their actions. The results indicate that incorporating volunteer work into the traditional prison system can bring significant benefits for the resocialization of convicts. Additionally, the study underscores the need to expand humanizing practices in penal execution, emphasizing the transformative role of volunteer work and the importance of civic participation in reformulating the prison system, aligned with human rights and the promotion of a more just and peaceful society and a more efficient prison system.