Living and working conditions of penitentiary security agents in the Amazonian context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2025.11.1.354Keywords:
Prison Officers, Occupational Health, Psychological Distress, Working Conditions, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
Background: Prison work is associated with intense physical, emotional, and social demands and is internationally recognized as a high-risk occupation with significant psychosocial vulnerability. In the Amazonian context, these challenges are further exacerbated by institutional precariousness and structural inequalities. Objectives: To understand, from the perspective of prison workers themselves, the living and working conditions of prison security agents in Santarém, Pará, and to analyze the impacts of this experience on their physical, mental, and relational health. Methods: This exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative study was conducted with 33 prison officers from two correctional facilities. Data were collected through focus groups and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis, supported by NVivo 11 Pro Student software. Results: The findings revealed adverse working conditions, including functional overload, institutional insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure. Narratives showed evidence of physical and mental suffering, rigid professional identity, familial and social repercussions, and gender inequalities. Coping strategies included emotional support from family members and the role of spirituality. Conclusions: The study highlights the urgent need for institutional policies that recognize occupational suffering as a collective phenomenon and promote comprehensive care and professional recognition within the prison system.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Irlaine Maria Figueira da Silva , Nádia Vicência do Nascimento Martins, Luana Almeida dos Santos, Lúcia Yasuko Izumi Nichiata
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