Descripción
This paper aimed to reflect on female incarceration in Petrolina – PE through the
comprehension of the intersection between race, gender, and class in the distribution
of punishment. The convergence of those markers of oppression was considered for
the analyses conducted of the prison and Judiciary systems, motivating the debate on
the institutionalization of systems of oppression under the pretense of neutrality and
impartiality. In order to conduct the proposed analyses, the works of black feminist
authors were used as a framework, opting to adopt the analytical tool of
intersectionality. The study followed the inductive method and was conducted through
a literature review and documentary research on national and state databases. In
addition to that, 48 cases involving the women sentenced and serving their time in
Petrolina’s public jail were also studied. The data and information collected were
presented in three chapters. The first aimed to discuss the need to analyze the social
dynamics of domination through the lens of intersectionality to avoid simplistic and
reductive solutions. In the second chapter, the problems of the prison system were
debated as well as the probable reasons for their perpetuity. Finally, the third part of
this dissertation examines Brazilian judiciary from the narcissistic pact of whiteness
and confronted in relation to its contribution to maintaining social imbalances. It was
concluded that there is a need to reimagine the Law, making it more plural and applying
it in a way that effectively promotes social justice.