A ESCOLA VAI ÀS PRISÕES: Percursos históricos e o pioneirismo do Estado do Maranhão na oferta de educação escolar nas prisões (1960-2024)

Abstract

In this dissertation, we present research results aimed at analyzing the provision of school education in prisons in Maranhão during the period from 1960 to 2024, with emphasis on its historical trajectories. The purpose was to answer the question: what trajectories have characterized the provision of school education in Maranhão's prisons from 1960 to 2024? Methodologically, the study situates itself within a qualitative approach in the field of History of Education, focusing on the history of school education in Maranhão's prisons. Field research was conducted incorporating the oral history technique, along with bibliographic and documentary research. For data collection instruments, document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used. The research participants included: two (2) teachers working at the João Sobreira de Lima School Center; the current manager and school supervisor; and the school’s first coordinator, now retired. As methodological categories, the concepts of school culture by Frago (1995) and representation by Chartier (2002a, 2002b) were adopted. The results revealed that educational policies in Maranhão prisons began with the creation of the João Sobreira de Lima School Center (CEJSL) and the regulation of EJA (Opinion No. 313/2007 and Resolution No. 262/2007), continuing with the development of state educational plans for prisons. According to the Maranhão State Education Plan for Prisons (PEEP-MA 2015-2016) and oral accounts, schooling in the Pedrinhas Agricultural Prison Complex has existed since 1960, unrecognized by the Department of Education and featuring multigrade classrooms, becoming institutionalized by the State Department of Education only in 1987. Despite the scarcity of historical documentation, it was concluded that the development of school education in Maranhão prisons can be summarized as follows: initiation of literacy work in the then Pedrinhas Agricultural Penitentiary led by Lieutenant João Sobreira de Lima; institutionalization of the João Sobreira de Lima School; and the creation of State Educational Plans for prisons in Maranhão. Noteworthy is the initiative led by the João Sobreira de Lima School to facilitate formal education within the São Luís Penitentiary, as the first and only institution offering school education in Maranhão's prisons. Special emphasis is given to the participation of individuals with lower decision-making power, such as teachers and education professionals, in maintaining the provision of such education. These elements underscore Maranhão’s pioneering role in providing school education to incarcerated individuals.