REALIDADE DE UM MANICÔMIO JUDICIÁRIO NA VISÃO DE PROFISSIONAIS: DO TRATAMENTO À SEGREGAÇÃO THE REALITY OF A FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ACCORDING TO ITS STAFF: FROM TREATMENT TO SEGREGATION

The present study aims at analyzing the context of a forensic psychiatric hospital responsible for mental health care, as well as public security. This is a qualitative case study. The study subjects were professionals working at a Psychiatric Hospital for Custody and Treatment (HCT). This institution treats and detains individuals under security measures. Data were collected through interviews and submitted to content analysis. Data analysis emphasized the dual attribute of the HCT: mental care institution and prison. This characteristic revealed the conflicts between institutional interests and duties. The results were grouped in four categories: characterization and objectives of the institution; working in a prison or in a hospital and working conditions; security measures or punishment. The results demonstrated the difficulty to classify this type of institution: forensic, mental institution or both? In the hospital studied the researchers observed inadequate working conditions, difficulty in promoting social reintegration, failure to comply with security measures, and compliance with punitive and repressive objectives to the detriment of health care ones. In conclusion, the professionals’ perspective reflects the general representation of the institution as a place of control and exclusion of insanity.