ADOECIMENTO DA POPULAÇÃO PRIVADA DE LIBERDADE: PERFIL DE MORBIDADE EM COMPLEXO PRISIONAL ESTADUAL

Understanding the characteristics of illness among the incarcerated population is essential, particularly from the perspective of Nursing, a field with direct responsibility for patient care. This study enabled an exploration of prison health, which still contains informational gaps that impact the quality of care provided. The objective was to analyze the morbidity profile of the population deprived of liberty in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This is an exploratory, quantitative, field-based, and documentary study, based on sociodemographic characterization and documentary mapping of morbidities. Through the examination of medical records and prison registration forms, five categories emerged for discussion: sociodemographic profile; prison profile; morbidity profile; health records; and the practice of Nursing in prison settings. As a result, morbidity patterns among incarcerated males primarily included musculoskeletal, viral, and dermatological diseases, while females presented mainly psychiatric, gynecological, and bacterial illnesses. The findings revealed new insights into the diseases affecting individuals deprived of liberty and contributed to a better understanding of the nuances of illnesses that are more prevalent in prison contexts. This understanding plays a role in strengthening public policies and reducing vulnerabilities, while also providing informational support regarding the prison environment.