Abstract:
The rehabilitative goal of punishment is to rehabilitate the offender, providing them with
the opportunity to rebuild their life and reintegrate productively into society, rather than
merely focusing on punishment or revenge. This article aims to analyze the
discrepancy between the fundamental human rights of prisoners, guaranteed by the
Constitution and international treaties, and the reality of the Brazilian prison system,
which often violates these rights. It examines how the penitentiary system, marked by
overcrowding, inhumane conditions, violence, and lack of access to rehabilitation
programs, stigmatizes inmates instead of ensuring their dignity and reintegration into
society. The methodology used in this study involved bibliographic and documentary
research. The bibliographic investigation was based on sources such as books,
academic articles, specialized journals, newspapers, and relevant legislation on the
topic. It was found that conditions in Brazilian prisons, such as overcrowding, violence,
unsanitary conditions, and lack of education and healthcare programs, compromise
this goal. The prison reality does not favor reintegration; on the contrary, it creates a
cycle of criminal recidivism. The alarming recidivism rate of 38.9% highlights that
prisons, far from reforming individuals, often prepare them for criminal activity.
Therefore, it is concluded that urgent prison reform is needed, with the implementation
of public policies that effectively ensure human dignity and the fundamental rights of
inmates, promoting education, healthcare, and employment to guarantee the effective
rehabilitation of inmates and reduce crime.
