Re-socialisation of prisoners in Brazil

The Huddersfield Business School has heard our colleague Dr Walter Mswaka, a Senior Lecturer in Business Strategy present his research on “Re-socialisation of Prisoners Through Social Enterprise: The APAC System in Brazil”.

Walter’s presentation was based on a joint research between the University of Huddersfield and the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, in particular the main collaborators Vander Aguiar and Professor Armindo dos Santos de Sousa Teodosio.

Walter says “The Association for the Protection and Assistance of the Convicted (APAC) is a Brazilian based faith based penal method which seeks to punish and reintegrate prisoners back into society in a more humane way. Given the well documented state of Brazilian prison system characterised by lack of funding, overcrowding violence and high rates of recidivism, the APAC system (Associação de Proteção e Assistência aos Condenados in Portuguese), is increasingly emerging as an alternative restorative justice intervention. However, while researchers and practitioners acknowledge that one of the key causes of recidivism is lack of employment skills and training there is a dearth of entrepreneurship research on serving prisoners. Based on quantitative data and interviews with participants and key stakeholders at an APAC based in Santa Luzia, Brazil, we explored the potential of social enterprise to rehabilitate prisoners and reduce recidivism. The study draws on the elements of Foucault’s (1991) theory of Governmentality to provide insight into the relationships between the government and society in addressing crime and tackling recidivism in the Brazilian penal system.”

Professor John Anchor says “Walter provided a fascinating overview of the Brazilian penal system. His theoretical input will address governance issues. I look forward to the further development of this research.”