The legal norms, case law and doctrine tell us that the ultimate purpose of any sentence imposed in criminal proceedings is based on the social reintegration of the offender, the defendant.
In truth, this so-called social reintegration is nothing more than a fallacy or, put less bluntly, a fanciful unreality.
“João”, whom I met and represented some years ago, was convicted of the crimes he committed — after, moreover, he confessed to them. “João” was given a harsh sentence. I am not referring to the one handed down by the Court. I am referring to the other one: the sentence imposed on him by a flawed system.
While serving his sentence in a prison establishment, “João” decided to re-educate himself and reintegrate into society and into the Law. Or at least he tried: he wanted to return to his studies and complete his cycle of education. He was forbidden from doing so. Not by his own choice, but by a system that champions reintegration yet contributes nothing to it.
“João” spent at least two years trying to enrol in the school programmes made available by prison establishments. He could not, because his Citizen Card was not renewed, having already expired while he was in custody. Without a valid Citizen Card, he was unable to enrol.
“João” insisted on multiple occasions; I insisted on multiple occasions. I never even received a reply from the prison establishment in question.
It has been two years since I last had contact with “João”, but I firmly believe that even today he is still waiting for the system to allow him to reintegrate, as he alone wishes. The system proclaims.
There is, in truth, a long road ahead before the social reintegration of offenders and defendants ceases to be a fantasy and becomes a reality. A road that allows them to maintain a close and ongoing relationship with educators, reintegration officers, doctors and psychologists, teachers, and society.
A road that allows them to align themselves with the Law. A road that does not corrupt them within a system that is, in itself, already corrupted.
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