AN ANALYSIS OF THE APAC MODEL WITHIN THE PRISON SYSTEM OF MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

This article provides a comparative analysis of the outcomes of the Association for the Protection and Assistance of Convicts (APAC) model in contrast to the conventional prison system of Minas Gerais, with a specific focus on re-entry rates in 2023. Based on data from the Integrated Prison Management System (SIGPRI/DEPEN-MG), the study identifies a significant disparity between the two models: while 47.7% of individuals released from the traditional prison system returned to custody, only 0.63% of APAC ex-offenders re-entered the system during the same period. Drawing on theoretical contributions on punishment, recidivism, and the cumulative disadvantages experienced throughout the lives of incarcerated individuals, the analysis highlights the relevance of the APAC method as a humanitarian, disciplined, and co-responsible penal alternative structured around its 12 Essential Elements. The article also examines recurring criticisms of the model, including selective admission criteria, strict disciplinary routines, and the lack of methodological transparency in the dissemination of official indicators. The study concludes that, although APAC units achieve substantially better results than conventional prisons, their effectiveness depends on specific institutional conditions. Therefore, broader generalizations should be made cautiously, and further empirical research is required.