Perceptions about Visitation Moments for Adolescents Deprived of Liberty: Family Relationships and Affectivity

Abstract

The deprivation of liberty of adolescents interferes on possibilities of contact and communication towards the environment outside the institution, as it represents the deprivation of freedom of adolescents who are complying with it. This article, from a perspective of socio-historical psychology, is intended to bring out reflections upon meanings attributed to the meetings enabled by inmate visitations they receive from their families in the unit. Ten participants were part of this study, five of them adolescents and five family members. From a qualitative perspective, with the usage of Multiple Case Report and data collection through semi-structured interviews and documentary research, it was understood that inmate visitations are extremely significant meetings for both adolescents and their families. Results showed contradictory feelings full of an affection strength during the visitations. Therefore, it is emphasized that such moments enable possibilities of resignification of relational experiences, which is a great potential for professional actions in socio-educational institutions, given the importance attributed by the participants of this research.