07/06/2018

On G1, prisoners resume their studies and participate in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools).

Reproduction from G1 São Carlos and Araraquara / Reporting and photos by Fabio Rodrigues

Away from school for 11 years, Paulo* decided to resume his studies after being arrested for the second time for drug trafficking. At 27 years old, he is in the sixth grade at the João Batista de Arruda Sampaio Penitentiary in Itirapina (SP).

"When I was younger, I didn't like it very much. Now it's enjoyable," said the inmate who is participating for the first time in the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (Obmep), which is holding the first phase of the tests this Tuesday (5).

Like him, another 1,300 inmates from nine prison units in the region registered to take the exam. According to the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat (SAP), there are 12,790 registered inmates throughout the state, 18.91% more than last year, when 9,890 registered.

In search of a diploma

Carlos, 37, sees the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP) as an incentive to test his knowledge, but regardless of the outcome, he said the goal is to stay focused on his studies.

A mechanic by trade, he has been imprisoned for 1 year and 10 months for wiretapping. He only completed the seventh grade 14 years ago. He is currently in the eighth grade, as is one of his three daughters.

"They and my wife thought it was great that I went back to school. For me, studying is going well. I want to finish and have a decent life when I graduate," he said.

Trust

Marcelo also wants to leave the prison system with a high school diploma. Imprisoned for eight months for drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm, he said he completed up to the eighth grade about ten years ago.

While in prison, he resumed his studies and said it's paying off. His affinity for mathematics gives him confidence for a good result in the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP).

"The preparation went smoothly, we received a lot of attention from the teachers. Sometimes I grab my notebook in the gym and do some calculations, I practice when I have any difficulties. I think I'll do well," she said.

Pedro, 34, is also confident. Sentenced to 14 years for robbery, he uses the time to dedicate himself to his studies. "It helps to interact, to get out of the monotony of prison. You can never learn too much," he said.

Work and study

Divided into six pavilions, Penitentiary II has been operating in Itirapina for 19 years and houses 2,400 inmates. Of these, approximately 600 work through partnerships with eight companies, and another 236 study. Teachers from the Professor Joaquim de Toledo Carmargo State School teach at the unit, explained the school's director, Rosana Maria Romualdo.

According to the prison director, Clemar Pinto Cabral, the search for work and education is important for the prisoner's resocialization process.

"Those who are working or studying are doing so because they truly want to change. When there's interest in studying, we enroll them. For work, it depends on the number of vacancies available," he explained.

Miguel Angelo Creca, director of the Work and Education Center, who has been at the unit for 18 years, said that the prisoners' search for employment has been increasing.

"We offer classrooms, facilities, and good teachers. Many inmates take this seriously. A prisoner who works and studies can leave here and find a place in the job market," he said.

For mathematics teacher Tatiane Fantin, the students are gradually developing, and participating in the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP) is already a great stimulus in this learning process.

The Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP) is organized by the National Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), with the support of the Brazilian Mathematical Society (SBM), and promoted with resources from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC).

Number of participants enrolled in the Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad (OBMEP) in prisons in the region.
Casa Branca Penitentiary – 35 registered
Mococa Reintegration Center – 160 registered
Itapina Penitentiary I – 160 registered
Itirapina II Penitentiary – 203 registered inmates
Rio Claro Women's Resocialization Center – 70 registered
Rio Claro Male Resocialization Center – 155 registered
Araraquara Penitentiary – 270 registered
Araraquara Women's Resocialization Center – 90 registered
Araraquara Male Resocialization Center – 160

*The names of the inmates have been changed to protect the identity of those interviewed.