Abstract

This article discusses the results of action research on the psychosocial situation of female inmates and the work of a basic health care team (EABp) in a Brazilian women's prison. The research was carried out by means of methodological pluralism. In particular, two focus groups combined with six months of matrix support for the team were used. The results highlight that the shortcomings of intramural health care are related to both the fragmentation of health care and the existing health networks at the community level, as well as insufficient knowledge of gender specificities in prison. Research on health care in prison from a gender perspective, a corollary of the project, reinforces the need to design public policies based on scientific evidence.