Centrais de penas e medidas alternativas do Tocantins: metodologias de acompanhamento em prática durante período de outubro de 2022 a janeiro de 2023

Abstract

Overcrowding in prisons has contributed to the lack of effectiveness in guaranteeing criminal alternatives, in addition, it has contributed to the disparity in the criminal justice system in the application of sentences that may not be fair and consistent, as race and social class can influence the way in which penalties are applied. The research is justified by the need to provoke network coordination between the institutions of the public security system, criminal justice and society, highlighting the importance of incentives for participatory solutions adapted to the local reality. This report aims to present the functioning of the Sentencing and Alternative Measures Centers in the State of Tocantins, in the municipalities of Palmas, Araguaína, Gurupi, Porto Nacional, Paraíso and Tocantinópolis, specifically, with regard to monitoring criminal alternatives. This is exploratory and documentary research of a qualitative nature. Since 2013, DEPEN has been financing projects for the implementation of Centers called Integrated Penal Alternative Centers, with the aim of offering monitoring services for those serving sentences that restrict rights, criminal transaction, conditional suspension of the process, conditional suspension of the custodial sentence, conciliation, mediation, restorative justice techniques, urgent protective measures and various precautionary measures of imprisonment. In this sense, the importance of structuring and qualifying these Centers is considered, since they are essential mechanisms for combating prison overcrowding. During the research, data collection was carried out focusing on the period between October 2022 and January 2023, with the application of questionnaires to the coordinators of the Centers, to monitor work routines, the profile of their technical team and the main actions and methodologies developed by the Centers. The results showed, mainly, the lack of a standard in the routines, contributing to the compromise of the quality of the work performed in the Centers. The research allowed us to understand the routines and support the following products to minimize the impacts of the problems observed as a researcher and Manager of State Penal Alternatives: 1) creation of a Manual of Technical Procedures for Penal Alternatives to support the teams at the Sentencing Centers and Alternative Measures (CEPEMA) of the State of Tocantins; 2) a Bill as a regulatory framework, which is being processed at the secretariat and goes to the Civil House; 3) a scientific article on the topic, sharing partial results; 4) the Technical Report containing a general overview of the Sentencing and Alternative Measures Centers in the State of Tocantins.