INCARCERATED ELDERLY: EXPECTATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults deprived of freedom are submitted to significant changes in their social and affective life, involving the beliefs and values they have about the others and themselves. Objective: To understand the expectations of older adults incarcerated in relation to the future, after the execution of the sentence. Methods: A qualitative research was carried out, based on the Thematic Analysis method. Forty-two older adults deprived of liberty from four penitentiaries at the western State region of São Paulo, Brazil participated. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, with the following guiding question: How do you imagine your life when you are at liberty?. Results: From the analysis of the data obtained, four themes emerged Claim of a new beginning; Self and health care; From the idealization of freedom to the recognition of difficulties; and Focus on religiosity. Conclusion: The themes highlighted the desire of restarting a new life, self-care and of religious practice even knowing the difficulties to be faced.