DESAFIOS DA ENFERMAGEM NAS PRISÕES: INFRAESTRUTURA, DOENÇAS E LIMITAÇÕES NO ATENDIMENTO

ABSTRACT Nursing is a profession committed to ethical principles and the promotion of health at all levels of care. When it comes to the Brazilian prison system, it tends to face challenges and complexities. In this context, the main objective of this article is to discuss the difficulties faced by nursing professionals in prison units, focusing on possible structural deficiencies, the high prevalence of diseases and operational limitations that compromise health care. The methodology was built from a bibliographic review. As a result, it was observed that the precariousness of the physical infrastructure, the scarcity of human and material resources, as well as the environment of constant tension and insecurity, significantly limit nursing practice and prevent the implementation of comprehensive, humanized and continuous care. Furthermore, there is a recurrence of infectious diseases, mental disorders and illnesses resulting from unhealthy conditions, which require nursing not only technical competence, but also socio-emotional skills and ethical commitment to human rights, indicating the urgent need to strengthen public policies aimed at prison health and specific training for professionals who work in this context. Keywords: Nursing; Prison system; Public health; Prison infrastructure; Human rights.