Penitentiary Policy. Imprisoned Woman. Restorative Justice. Peacemaking Circles.

Brazilian penitentiary policies were developed by men and for men, with systematic gender violence being a reality of incarcerated women, as they are deprived of rights, such as maternity, sexuality, family life and basic hygiene. On that account, this research addresses the issue of Restorative Justice as a viable alternative for the empowerment of women deprived of liberty, given the impossibility and dehumanization perpetrated by the prison environment. Thus, it presents as general objective the understanding and debating the impacts resulting from the application of Restorative Justice, through peacemaking circles, with women incarcerated at the Women's Recovery Center (CRF) in Santarém/PA, applying the methodology of participant observation along to the mentioned circles. Hence, this study consists in applied research, with an exploratory focus and a qualitative approach. At the same time, semi-structured interviews were also carried out, with open questions, these being with 4 (four) inmates and 2 (two) servants of the women's prison in Santarém. Throughout this dissertation, the potential of Restorative Justice was demonstrated in transforming relational, structural, institutional, and cultural violence, reaching debates on social justice, racism, gender violence and their intersectionalities, with a view to social and individual co-responsibility, damages reparation, building fair relationships, restoring (interpersonal/community) bonds, treating trauma, and preventing future violence. As a result of the introduction of peacemaking circles in the women's penitentiary of Santarém, the construction of a safe and respectful space for dialogue and interaction between incarcerated women was observed, creating a haven for them to address their stories of abuse, traumas, and feelings, providing opportunities for healing, self- forgiveness, embracement, resignification of memories and violence, support and support and empowerment. In addition, the circles also favored the creation of a feeling of sisterhood, solidarity and empathy between the women participating in the circles, providing identification, inclusion, connection, and healthy and respectful relationships between the inmates, and between them and the penitentiary employees. Finally, it concluded that the circles were able to, to some extent, humanize the female prison system of Santarém, enabling the redefinition of sentences and the prison environment.