EFFICIENCY AND PATERNITY RECOGNITION IN THE PRISON SYSTEM

THE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF LAW APPLIED TO THE “CRIANÇA FELIZ: PATERNIDADE RECONHECIDA” PROJECT OF THE CRIMINAL EXECUTION COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF SÃO JOSÉ/SC

Abstract

This article examines, through the lens of Law and Economics (Economic Analysis of Law – EAL), the “Criança Feliz – Paternidade Reconhecida” Project, a Brazilian public policy initiative aimed at facilitating the voluntary recognition of paternity by incarcerated fathers through cooperative and non-bureaucratic means. The hypothesis is that the project exemplifies an efficient public policy model that promotes the full realization of children’s fundamental rights while ensuring cost-effectiveness, reducing litigation, and strengthening family bonds. The research follows a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical methodology based on literature review and normative analysis. It concludes that the core principles of EAL, when harmonized with the values of the Democratic Rule of Law, can serve as valuable tools for