The health of prison population was differentiated in 2003 with the publication of the National Health Plan in the Prison System which, in 2014, was established as a National Policy on Comprehensive Healthcare for People Deprived of Liberty in the Prison System. Mato Grosso integrated the Plan in 2004 and currently has health teams in six closed regime prison units, with management shared by the State Justice and Human Rights and the State Health Secretariats. The present article analyzes the perception of managers on the management of health policy in the Prison System of Mato Grosso focusing on its characteristics, barriers, and strengths. Subjectivity in decision-making-in which the manager relies on technical, political, institutional, social, cultural references and the perception (permeated by experience) of the theme and interventions-is valued. It is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research using semi-structured interviews with managers of both secretariats and consultation of official documents of free access, treated by thematic analysis. The management of prison health actions encounters obstacles but also advancements. Inconsistencies are highlighted in the values that govern the justice and health sectors where legal security and discipline issues put a strain on the right to health and overcrowding cannot be ignored. The prison context provides peculiarities to the assistance, which are reflected in management, because sometimes adjustments are made when facing differences, mobilizing the principle of equality, and sometimes they are compromised and managers are left with the dilemma between necessary and possible care.
Prison Health; Health Management; Health Planning; Health Policies; Prison System