Mary Grace F. Barolo, PhD1 and Jezreel B. Vicente, PhD2
1 Faculty, Occidental Mindoro State College
Occidental Mindoro, Philippines
2 Faculty, University of Baguio
Baguio City, Philippines
Abstract
The primary purpose of the study was to determine the challenges and coping mechanisms of the selected Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) of Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF), Occidental Mindoro. The study made use of qualitative descriptive design. An interview guide was used to collect the data. Owing to the Prison Superintendent’s permission and prerogative only three (3) PDLs were allowed to participate in the study. The participants were selected based on criteria such as being not form Mindoro, being head of the family, on minimum security, and first time offender. The participants during the data gathering disclosed that they had trouble inside the prison. It includes difficulties in adjusting to prison life, the feeling of powerlessness, adherence to unwritten laws, bearing the pain for the sake of the family, staying out of trouble, exploitation of the weak, and they feel that they are the forgotten the victims. The effects of these difficulties vary among individuals because they have their ways of adapting to the prison environment. One of the participants thought of self- destruction, while others develop adaptive behavior towards incarceration. Other repercussions of challenges are self- reflection and self- renewal, faith in God, prison as a haven and positive outlooks in life. The challenges were either helpful or harmful in the participants’ life. Moreover, the study revealed that to cope with the prison environment the participant chose to become submissive, bear the consequences of their act, keeps themselves busy, and, remained active in religious activities.
Keywords: Prison challenges, imprisonment, adaptive behavior, experiences of inmates, coping strategies
