Abstract

MIRANDA, Márcia Lepiani Angelini  and  GRANATO, Tania Mara Marques. Imprisoned fathers: narratives of inmates about the experience of fatherhood in prison. Psico (Porto Alegre) [online]. 2016, vol.47, n.4, pp. 309-318. ISSN 1980-8623.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2016.4.23413.

Considering the growth of the Brazilian prison population and the fact that the imprisonment impacts not only the prisoner, but also their relatives, we investigate the paternal experience of 41 inmates serving time in a penitentiary of Sao Paulo. As a qualitative approach we used an Interactive Narrative followed by a group discussion, to explore the affective-emotional meanings that the experience of fatherhood may take in prison. The children are featured as an incentive to change the inmate's life, and as main emotional support in this condition of vulnerability. Feelings of guilt, impotence and regret set the tone for the participants' narratives, beyond the concern with their children's future. Contentious marital relationships and institutional demands contribute to weaken the father-son bond. This study indicates the potential benefits that the strengthening of familial bonds may revert to the well being of the children and to the social reintegration of the inmate.

Keywords : Fatherhood; Prison; Interactive narrative; Psychoanalysis.

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