Abstract:
The article intends to analyze the perspective of lifemates of prisoners of the Rio de Janeiro state penitentiary system, about their roles in the prison structure. We assumed that their actions would have a direct relation with the sexual division of labor. In other words, women would perform activities related to domestic and affective care in relation to their partners, even though they are arrested. Thus, they would suffer the typical processes of the prison world, such as the control of bodies and the imposition of rules. However, the data show that there are several roles performed by women who choose to ‘serve sentence together’ with their convicted partner, thus, it is not possible to reduce their actions in a gender subordination relationship. Even if they take on the role of care and support during deprivation of liberty, they perform additional functions, perceived as emancipatory and constituent of new identities.
Key words:
Prison system; Prisoners’ lifemates; Sexual division of labor; Gender roles