Os adolescentes infratores do Rio de Janeiro e as institui??es que os 'ressocializam'. A perpetua??o do descaso

摘要

This article presents data from juvenile delinquents in the Rio de Janeiro Minors Court. It is an exploratory study with qualitative and quantitative approaches, conducted in 1994 in three schools (Padre Severino Institute, Jo?o Luiz Alves School, and Santos Dumont School) in Greater Metropolitan Rio de Janeiro and responsible for the legal custody of juvenile delinquents. Social and demographic aspects of the adolescents and families are shown, and the daily routines of employees, adolescents, and researchers are reported. This paper stresses the damaging effects on the lives of these youngsters by their families, society, and judiciary and legal custody institutions. It also suggests approaches and positive ways of reorienting the issue.