Saúde mental e direitos humanos: considerações sobre à assistência psicológica nas penitenciárias femininas do estado da Paraíba.

Abstract

The history of women's prisons in Brazil reveals that, for centuries, incarcerated women have been marginalized within a punitive model designed under an androcentric logic. From the colonial period to the 21st century, female incarceration has failed to address gender-specific needs, exacerbating social and psychological vulnerabilities for this group. With the advancement of penal regulations and human rights, deprivation of liberty has sought not only punishment but also rehabilitation and the assurance of dignity. In this context, this research aims to answer the following question: what are the main obstacles hindering access to psychological care in the Paraíba women's prison system? The objective of this study was to investigate the conditions of access to psychological care in the Paraíba women's prison system, analyzing structural and historical barriers and proposing strategies to ensure the right to mental health for female inmates. The methodology consisted of bibliographic and documentary research, with a deductive approach and qualitative analysis, grounded in legislation and reports. The data obtained revealed that, despite legal frameworks such as the Penal Execution Law and the National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PNAISP), barriers such as overcrowding, precarious conditions, a shortage of mental health professionals, and the absence of regional policies persist in women's prisons. In Paraíba, these issues are further aggravated by socioeconomic inequalities and the impact of drug trafficking. These conditions undermine rehabilitation and intensify the psychological suffering of inmates, highlighting state negligence in ensuring adequate environments and effective psychological care. Thus, it is concluded that the State must reform the Paraíba women's prison system through the implementation of local public policies, judicial action to guarantee rights, and the creation of psychological support and social reintegration programs, aiming to align the execution of sentences with the principles of dignity and rehabilitation.