Prison can be considered an oppressive and limiting institution and, hence, a propitious site for the development of conflicting and hostile relations among prisoners.

Describe female prisoners’ experiences and perceptions regarding violence in the prison environment.

Get to know the circumstances of relationships established at a female prison.

Exploratory and descriptive research, carried out at the Female Penitentiary in Ribeirão Preto (SP) - Brazil. A semistructured interview was applied to 15 female prisoners. The results were submitted to thematic content analysis.

Two categories were idenitfied. “Perception of violence in prison”: they denounced the power hierarchy form, in which some prisoners and employees used physical force as an instrument for authority and dominion; they also revealed being victim of sexual abuse and psychological mistreatment in interpersonal relations (rejection, depreciation, discrimination, disrespect, intimidation, oppression and charge). “Losses deriving from imprisonment”: they complained of the precarious hygiene conditions, overcrowded cells and difficult access to health services; distancing from the family, loss of comfort and civil rights, particularly the right to do what they want (choosing food, practicing sports and leisure).

Prison can be considered the representation of a place of exclusion, closed, enclosing multiple violent acts. This directly influences the perspective of life and future interpersonal relations of people going through this experience. Thus, interventions are needed that prioritize high-quality social reintegration for these people.