THE IMPACT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING ON THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF GOIÁS

Abstract

In the contemporary Brazilian context, the issue of drugs stands as one of the most pressing challenges for the penitentiary system. The overcrowding of prisons emerges as one of the most visible and alarming consequences of combating drug trafficking. This paper proposes an analysis of the relationship between drug trafficking and the overburdening of the prison systems in Brazil. Over the past few decades, Brazil has witnessed a significant increase in the number of inmates, driven largely by anti-drug trafficking policies that have resulted in mass incarcerations. This disproportionate growth in the prison population, in turn, has overwhelmed prison structures, leading to overcrowding, inhumane conditions of incarceration, and human rights violations. In this context, it is crucial to examine the dynamics of the illicit drug market in the country, understanding its socioeconomic roots, its territorial ramifications, and its interconnections with other types of crime. Additionally, it is essential to analyze the public policies adopted to address drug trafficking, questioning their effectiveness, social impacts, and coherence with the principles of justice and human rights. Through this analysis, this paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the problem of prison overcrowding in Brazil. It aims to contribute to the development of more effective and humane policies in the field of criminal justice and public security.