Hidden Lives in Hidden Patients: an Analysis of Custody Hospitals in Brazil

Abstract

There are important limitations regarding the Brazilian Custodial Psychiatric Hospitals or Judicial Psychiatric Hospitals situation. They way how they are administrated, as prisons and non as hospitals, could make the health of their patients worst than when they were admitted. These limitations are not just in the hospitals, but on current Laws of the Brazilian Unified Health System. In addition, patients with mental disorders suffer a complex process of stigmatization, prejudice and social reclusion. Despite the existing Laws to the adequate caring and treatment of mentally ill patients and the advances in the psychiatric and mental health field, radical changes should be made on the Judicial Psychiatric Hospitals and on the Judicial and Health Systems in Brazil in order to achieve better results in the life quality of people with mental disorders.