The aim of this work is to understand how the alternative model of penitentiary management promoted by the Assistance Association for Convicts (APAC) can contribute to Rio Grande do Norte in promotinge the rehabilitation of prisoners. The theoretical framework involved the interdisciplinary study of prison management. For the success of this work, the methodology used was exploratory descriptive research, with a qualitative analysis in the APAC unit, in the city of Macau, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. All prisoners were interviewed, in addition to employee and volunteer managers, from September to October 2019. The results demonstrate that the standardization of management processes, the prescription of activities and the execution of previously determined guidelines are the determining factors of success of the APAC system for respondents.