À sombra do encarceramento: o entorno das prisões

Abstract

In the Shadow of Incarceration is an indicative title for this thesis. Shadows pursue, hide, threaten, dominate, and sometimes \"haunt\". Shadows are also vehicles that carry magnificent psychological images: they do not enjoy a good reputation, are always associated with that which is misleading, dangerous, threatening. In general, they carry negative, strange, and invasive meanings. They are always shrouded in suspicion and fear. Shadows are mysterious and seductive, dark and disturbing. They do not inspire confidence and are not good company. To reflect on the richness of the metaphors and the imaginary stories about shadows brought me inspiration for writing the thesis. What other image could be as appropriate to represent (or misrepresent) the feelings that a person comes to experience from the incarceration of a close relative? Having a family member in prison is like being constantly under a shadow: a damned and cursed shadow that stalks and does not withdraw. It is in this sense that this research paper decided to study the prison environment, made up of the families who reside near the prisons to maintain the bond with the imprisoned relative and thus share the prison (experience). Furthermore, this study contributes to the understanding of stolen childhoods, whose children become victims and perpetrators in the process of family incarceration. It finishes by showing that imprisonment does not only happen in the actual prison facility, but also, and especially, in the subjective. As they told of what goes on in their subjectivities, these family members reveal feelings that have the power to entrap them or to release them. Humiliation and resentment entrap. Forgiveness frees.