RESIGNIFICATIONS OF TORTURE IN THE BRAZILIAN PRISON SYSTEM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A DECOLONIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

In a context of heightened social vulnerability of the Brazilian prison population during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as in view of the different way in which this population was treated within the scope of health “protection” standards and criminal and penitentiary public policies, this article aims to reflect, from a decolonial perspective, on the resignifications attributed to torture during this period, pointing out the referential nature of this category and questioning who would, in fact, have the power to define it. To this end, we will analyze the reports produced by the Pastoral Carcerária and the Defendoria Pública do Estado de São Paulo during the Covid-19 Pandemic, adding to empirical reflections that reveal new forms of complaints, silencing, multiple and intersectional discrimination related to this population and their families. Thus, the research will use the “analethical” method, based on bibliographic investigations, ethnographic inspirations and the analysis of data collected in reports corresponding to the first two years of the pandemic. The theoretical framework adopted encompasses an analysis based on Brazilian critical criminology combined with a decolonial reading, which gives meaning not only to the data, but also to the mobilizations, narratives and desires of these groups. In this light, it will be possible to reflect, in a bilateral manner, on the contributions of this field in the dispute for the realization of the demands of vulnerable groups.