The museum storage collection of the Direção Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais (Directorate-General of Prison Services), is located inside Lisbon’s Prisoner Establishment and its mission is to preserve the material and immaterial memory of this institution. The process of collecting objects started in 2010 and today the collection has thousands of objects of museological interest that can also teach us about the Portuguese penal history.
This dissertation explores the contexts surrounding the museum storage collection by presenting some similar museums (based on bibliography) and by providing some historical and organisational contexts. It discusses the museum storage location and physical conditions and then explores the working methods used by its team. It also analyses the future of the reserve and proposes a museological program hoping it acts as an incentive for a future development.
This museum could not only pave the way for divulgation and fruition of this heritage but could also involve the convicts, especially the younger ones, through art submissions or curatorial programs. This involvement can contribute to convicts’ professional qualification and also help with their social reintegration.
By presenting a detailed analysis of the museum’s role in the context of penal and social issues, the dissertation aims to contribute to the dissemination and appreciation of this valuable museological heritage. Ultimately, it envisions the creation of a museum space that not only showcases the museum’s collection but also engages the community in understanding and supporting the institution’s mission.
