This dissertation of master s degree initially analyze how the incidence of discourse of fear in western modernity became indispensable to the constitution of punitive system and to the social and economic conservation. Moreover, from this observation, we note the peculiar consequences of discourses of fear in the American continent and tying them to the formation of an imaginary punishment carried out by the application of provisional prisons. In this scenario, also mentioned the role of media as an effective channel of spreading of fear and distortion of reality, responsible for the creation of subjectivities naturalized that this aspect of incarceration represented by the provisional prisons. Also tells the story turn of the punitive power in western modernity, from the application of the use of prison tortures, we noted the big stage policização of everyday life, highlighting in particular the key to enable the skilled legal incidence of a provisional arrest and as a manifestation of sovereign power in some brazilian judicial decisions involving the use/maintenance of provisional arrest. As a result, we also understand an exception tending to the suppression of rights and guarantees of fundamental temporary prisoners, like an invisible condition resulting legal hanging over them. Finally, we present some perspectives contrary to provisional imprisonment on a large scale.