Subordination or articulation? Psychological practices in the SUAS and the Justice System interface

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the performance of psychologists from the specialized reference centers for social assistance in Rio Grande do Norte State in their relations with the justice system. The different involved functions, guidelines, and professionals evince several articulation challenges. Notably the lack of clarity regarding what belongs to each sphere and conflicts between social protection, guarantee of rights, and families’ accountability. Using historical-dialectical materialism, an online form was filled out by professionals from the specialized reference centers for social assistance containing socio-demographic data, working conditions, and information on referrals made by the prosecutor’s office, the court of law, and the public defender’s office. Of the 55 psychologists working in specialized reference centers for social assistance, 35 answers were obtained.