This article analyzes access to incarceration assistance in Brazil in the period from 2002-2012. Incarceration assistance is a benefit of the social security system that is dedicated to the protection of dependents of people who are imprisoned who are eligible for social security benefits and have low income. A comparative longitudinal analysis of the data about social security benefits paid between the years 2002-2012 was conducted, and an analysis of data about the incarcerated population in the same period. The study found an increase in the number of benefits paid and in the volume of resources destined to incarceration assistance, which grew above the average of most of the social security benefits. Despite this, incarceration assistance is still a restricted benefit with low coverage, benefitting 7% of Brazil's incarcerated population.
Incarceration Assistance; Social Security; Right to Information; Imprisoned people