The Effectiveness of Human Dignity in the Globalized Society

Penalties as a state response to those who infringe the law and violate social order have the purpose of retributing to the offending agent the evil committed through the criminal practice with the evil of the penalty; reaffirming the violated rule validity respecting the limits of fundamental rights and guarantees and human rights; discouraging the practice of crimes by other members of society through intimidation; discouraging the offender to return to delinquency; and reintegrate him into society. However the Brazilian prison system has been suffering from lack of care and investment for decades creating a calamity situation throughout the country. Despite this the Executive Branch has not taken any steps to change the situation of prisons making clear the preponderance of the retributive function of the penalty of imprisonment.