Madame Satã and the jails of Ilha Grande: an analysis of gender constructs and sexuality in the prison system

Abstract

The lawsuits described João Francisco dos Santos, or “Madame Satã”, as sexual pervert and a very dangerous person. The objective of this paper is to analyze Satã’s behavior in prison, where the treatment with priso- ners was very violent, and, in Vila do Abraão, where he lived after being released. The research is based on testimonies left by him, documents, newspapers and interviews with guards and residents of Ilha Grande. Unlike his attitude in Lapa, his behavior in prisons and in Ilha Grande was completely different: his fame of brave scoundrel brought him respect and his homosexuality was well accepted. The identity shifts made by him challenged not only fixed constructions of gender and sexuality, but also those of justice and power.

Keywords

• Madame Satã
• homossexuality
• Ilha Grande’s prisons