New Stories Project Reconstructs the Lives of Women in Custody in the Penal System of Pará
Educational initiative promotes reintegration after incarceration
The first impact for those entering the prison system is the feeling that everything has come to an end. In Pará, this moment can signify a chance for a new beginning for those who see themselves without hope. This is what the "New Stories" project has been promoting for the past four years: a new path for mothering women who embrace education as a gateway to life change. Currently, ten women in custody are part of the program.
Developed by the Ser Educacional group in partnership with the State Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (Seap), the project offers 10 scholarships for Distance Education in various courses. The initiative is partnered with the University of the Amazon (Unama), which provides an additional four full scholarships, raising the total to 14. All participating women, so far, are inmates of the Women's Custody and Reintegration Unit (UCRF) in Ananindeua.
The initiative benefits women who are mothers and have low purchasing power, explains Patrícia Sales, coordinator of Prison Education (CEP), linked to the Social Reintegration Directorate (DRS) of Seap. "We have already graduated some women. Last year, we had the graduation ceremony. Incarcerated women, low-income mothers, who never dreamed of having a higher education level, are achieving that with this project. This shows them that outside of prison, they have a huge chance," she asserts.
Education Opens New Horizons
Patrícia assesses that the project opens a range of possibilities for people and allows them to "reach a new light, a new hope, to have a higher education," she says. "Life goes on. And through education, they can indeed change their life stories and achieve a higher education. When they leave prison with their diplomas, it will be easier for them to fit into society, in search of new horizons, a better future for themselves and their children through education," the coordinator bets.
The participants of the New Stories Project are becoming examples for their children and families. "They show that within prison they managed to achieve a higher education. I am sure that, with this, they will have more chances outside of prison to continue beyond graduation, pursue a postgraduate degree, and secure better jobs to support their families with dignity," envisions Patrícia Sales.
The pedagogue of UCRF, Natali Benassuly, who has been involved since the project's inception, reports that, in four years, the initiative has included both women in closed and semi-open regimes. The opportunities offered are for courses such as Pedagogy, Bachelor's in Letters, in Portuguese, Interior Design, and Accounting Sciences.
With the selection of 10 university inmates to receive the 10 full scholarships, the beneficiaries chose their courses and began their training. In 2024, two of them were the first graduates of the project, even while still being classified as inmates of UCRF, explains Professor Natali Benassuly. Leilane Barbosa Salles and Rosa Cravo graduated in Interior Design and Bachelor's in Letters, respectively.
Project Encourages Resumption of Studies and Women's Empowerment
Professor Natali Benassuly emphasizes: "This project is of utmost importance because it was a pilot project when it offered the undergraduate course for PPLs. Many times, they did not have this opportunity in freedom. Many of them were the first university students in their families. And by attending, the project also encouraged other PPLs to complete high school through Seduc."
Cleudiane Moura is one of the inmates who joined the project. She completed her degree in Bachelor's in Letters and will receive her diploma in the coming days. Five other inmates continue studying, and those who have already left the unit due to progressing in their regime also continue their studies to complete their courses.
Natali Benassuly observes: "We can empower these women through education and prevent them from reoffending. We have statistics from scientific articles, master's dissertations, and doctoral theses that show that PPLs who study do not reoffend. It is interesting for me, as a pedagogue in the custody unit, to have this feedback of seeing a family member at a happy graduation, knowing that they are receiving a certificate, that they have a profession," celebrates the professor.
Examples of Resistance and Determination
Graduated in Pedagogy before arriving at UCRF, Cleudiane Moura shared that upon learning about the possibility of returning to studies, she did not think twice and embraced the opportunity. "For me, it was a privilege to be in this place and have a scholarship, a degree. Many people who are free do not have this opportunity that we have here inside the prison. So, the word is gratitude because I believe that education transforms a human being, and we are having this opportunity," says Cleudiane.
She mentions that her choice to study also directly reflects on her two children. One of them has already graduated in Civil Engineering, and the other is finishing a Physical Education course at the State University of Pará (Uepa). "They look up to me. And every time I have the opportunity to receive a visit or messages, they send word that I am their pride, and even though I am in this situation, I can be resilient, I can find strength, I am studying, I am working. And my return home is very close," Cleudiane stated.
Leilane Barbosa Sales graduated last year in Interior Design, along with another UCRF inmate, Rosa Cravo, through the New Stories project. Due to her sentence, Leilane remains in custody, but now she has a second degree, as she was already a pedagogue before arriving at UCRF.
'I am getting support from professional people,' acknowledges inmate
Leilane shared that her mother was surprised to learn that her daughter would be part of the project. "She said: daughter, I don't understand. You are going through such suffering and are happy? I said: I am. She asked: why? I said: mom, regardless of where I am, I am getting support, I am finding strength from professional people who have the training to continue the work here, organizing our daily lives, encouraging us to study and work," Leilane recounts.
The encouragement to continue studying also came from her daughters Bianca and Beatriz, Leilane said. Although the reality of prison is not easy, Leilane assures that the greatest pain is the longing, and immersing herself in studies is the way to discover that life goes on and it is possible to dream of better days even within the prison system.
"I felt supported and cared for by this team here. And with that, I am studying. So, my life did not stop. I have no reason to cry. I am suffering because of the longing. But I am happy because my life did not stop. I am studying and I am happy with that because I will be able to continue my dreams. I have always dreamed of studying, of taking my courses, everything," highlights Leilane.
Leilane adds that continuing on the academic path will give her cultural baggage, better learning, and allow her to pass on her experiences to her daughters, including in their studies. "My mother told me that they said: my mother is a pride. I was happy about that. This feeds me inside, strengthens me, because even being a woman within the prison system, I continue to be a mother, and I am a pride for my children and my family," she concluded.
Rosa Cravo, the other inmate who completed her training, is already in the semi-open regime, works, and is benefiting from temporary leave. At her graduation, she declared: "You really have to take it seriously, dedicate yourself wholeheartedly, because it is not easy to study outside, and here it is even harder. But with every difficulty faced, there is a desire to overcome that challenge."
"So, I tell people: if you have a dream, fight for it. Don't give up because it only depends on you for that dream, that goal to be achieved. Study for those who are out there. For those who are here inside, study. Education is the best way to free yourself. And today, I can say that studying in prison is difficult, but it is rewarding to have a moment like this," said Rosa Cravo at her graduation.
Currently, another 60 women from UCRF have completed high school and are preparing for the National High School Exam for People Deprived of Liberty (Enem PPL), the version of Enem applied in prison and socio-educational units. In general, they also want to follow the example of their fellow inmates and start writing a new story in life.
Text by Márcio Souza / Ascom Seap
