Education in Prisons and Public University: Reflections on the Role of University Extension

Abstract

The article presents some reflections on the university extension possibilities, from its role set in the context of education in prisons, with a focus on public university. To this end, part of the origins and goals of university extension, its history and fundamentals, and analyzes the extension potential in relation to the prison system, questioning the state of São Paulo, where the prison population is quantitatively the largest in Brazil and where the university extension in this context reveals a shift in the state's stance. It uses the qualitative research methodology, based on a literature review and analysis of the legislation pertaining to the topic. Among the main closing remarks, pointed out the lack of studies and university extension programs in the prison system, which results in a large gap to be worked by the Public Universities, in the exercise of its extension role