CULTIVATING KNOWLEDGE, REAPING TRANSFORMATIONS: THE EXPERIENCE OF PRODUCING MEDICINAL PLANTS BASED ON ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS AT THE MARINGÁ INDUSTRIAL PENAL COLONY, PARANÁ, BRAZIL

Abstract

Currently, Brazil has the third largest prison population in the world, behind only the United States and China. In this context, it is essential to discuss proposals that can contribute to mitigating this type of reality. Thus, the research aimed to evaluate the behavior of inmates involved in the production, processing and use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines. The research is being carried out at the Industrial Penal Colony (CPIM), located in the municipality of Maringá, Paraná, from April 2023 to March 2024. It was divided into two Stages: Stage 1: The inmates will be involved in activities related to the implementation unit for the production and maintenance of medicinal plant species (germplasm bank); Stage 2: Processing of medicinal plants and production of herbal medicines. In addition to production and processing, the strategy is to implement a pilot pharmacy specializing in herbal/homeopathic medicines to meet the demands of the Penal Colony. The inmates involved in the production, processing and production of herbal medicines will be evaluated from a psychotherapeutic point of view, a constructivist approach, at the beginning and at the end of the research. The following assessments will be carried out: 1. Performance of the behavior of inmates involved in the different activities of Stages 1 and 2; 2. Application of a semi-structured questionnaire for individual social interviews, at the beginning and end of the research; 3. Carrying out a final workshop and producing experience reports. For the end of this article, the inmates' involvement in the activities of Stages 1 and 2 were evaluated. Considering the foundations of psychopedagogy and the constructivist approaches of Vygotsky and Piaget, gains were perceived by the inmates throughout their involvement in activities related to herbal medicine. Gains include learning, empathy, motivation, interest, bond formation, interdependence and respect, both individually and in groups. These results are in line with the constructivist theories of these two authors, which emphasize the importance of social interaction, active participation and the gradual development of cognitive and social skills.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.036-082