HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PRISON: cultural construction and dispute of rationalites

Abstract

This paper reflects on human rights as a rationality of resistance against the 
punitive irrationality present in the Brazilian prison environment. It argues 
human rights defenders (HRDs) are key actors in challenging the culture of 
violence and disregard for the fundamental rights of all stakeholders within 
the penal system. To validate this contention, it sheds light on the significance 
of HRDs’ actions for the resistance and struggles for the rights and multiple 
dignities of stakeholders in the custodial world. It then proposes that human 
rights defenders must listen to the voices of the dead while facing up punitive 
irrationality since these voices echo and denounce persistent human rights 
violations. In this sense, it presents human rights as an abolitionist strategy 
to overcome the penal system and its punitive irrationality. Finally, a brief 
conclusion is presented.