Incarcerated Women: Changes in Their Health During the Imprision Situation

Abstract

Goal: to analyze the main changes that have occurred in the health of women in prison in a regional prison complex in western Santa Catarina. Methodology: qualitative research carried out in March 2019 through interviews with 10 women in prison, they were applied in a private place, in a room provided by the health unit within the prison complex, with an average duration of 40 minutes. The analysis was performed using thematic content analysis. Results: the women were between 20 and 39 years old, six of them had children, 7 of them were married or dating, and six had a job prior to their incarceration. The participants' speeches were divided into three main categories: "family dynamics, intimate visits and interpersonal dependence"; "food, prison hygiene and infrastructure"; and "mental health and access to health services in prison". Final considerations: the participants reported worsening in different aspects of their physical and emotional health, contrary to what guide public policies.