جامعه شناسی کاربردی (Jun 2024)
Perception of Lived Experiences of Corrective Actions and Interventions in Dealing with Incarcerated Women
Abstract
Introduction:The guiding principle of correctional philosophy is the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society. This approach emphasizes the importance of human dignity and addresses the social and behavioral needs of incarcerated individuals with the ultimate goal of helping them successfully return to normal life. However, the question remains - how, and by whom, can social acceptance and moral/cultural rehabilitation be facilitated within the prison environment? Prison staff and guards, through their continuous and direct interactions with incarcerated women, are uniquely positioned to guide these individuals towards progress and distance them from criminal behaviors. Incarcerated women possess diverse personal, family, criminal, and conviction histories, and prison staff can leverage constructive elements within these backgrounds to work towards improvement and reform. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to explore the rehabilitative actions and approaches taken by prison employees in their interactions with incarcerated women, from the moment of entry to the point of release. This study sought to understand the specific reformative measures implemented by staff and how these efforts impacted the lived experiences of the incarcerated population. Materials & Methods:This exploratory, qualitative study employed a content analysis approach to examine the experiences and actions related to the correctional and behavioral change processes for incarcerated women. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews. The study sample included 11 employees from the women's prison in Ray City, which is the sole dedicated female correctional facility in Iran. These participants represented a diverse range of professional roles, including social workers, doctors, prison supervisors and deputies, guards, visitation staff, and security personnel. To enhance the credibility and reliability of the findings, the researchers also conducted interviews with 25 incarcerated women and 4 academic experts on the topic. This triangulation of data sources allowed the research team to corroborate the perspectives and experiences shared by the prison staff. The qualitative content analysis of the staff interviews yielded 3 main themes, 9 subcategories, and 41 distinct concepts related to the rehabilitation and reintegration approaches used within the facility. This systematic and multi-layered analysis enabled the researchers to derive a comprehensive understanding of the correctional strategies and their perceived impacts on the incarcerated population. Discussion of Results & Conclusion:The findings of this study revealed that the reformative experiences and interventions within the prison setting could be categorized into 3 key areas: interactions, services, and empowerment. In the domain of interactions, the researchers observed 2 key elements - interactions between staff and incarcerated women, as well as interactions between the women and their families. Prison staff reported that effective interactions were characterized by certainty in communication, clear boundaries, and an underlying tone of compassion and kindness. This aligned with the restorative justice approach, which emphasized the importance of humanistic and positive engagement to facilitate the women's reintegration into society. Regarding family interactions, the study found that visitations, maintenance of gender roles and femininity, and family support were all influential factors in the women's rehabilitation. The category of services encompassed 4 subcategories: prisoner-centered administrative processes, prisoner engagement, social well-being programs, and reform-minded human resources. The findings suggested that increased engagement in resocialization programs and multiple training opportunities were crucial as many incarcerated women had not fully developed the skills for principled social living. The 3rd category, empowerment, included interest-based, community-based, and ability-based approaches. The staff reported that the incarcerated women were more engaged and responsive to vocational training that aligned with their personal interests and the current needs of the job market. This underscored the importance of tailoring rehabilitation programs to the unique needs and aspirations of the incarcerated population. These research findings were supported by several modern criminological theories, including restorative justice, Durkheim's theory, reintegrative shaming theory, and emotional-therapeutic approaches. These frameworks recognized that the entirety of the incarceration process should be designed and managed to facilitate the individual's successful return to a law-abiding life. Interactions, services, and empowerment initiatives must be structured to actively separate the individuals from their criminal past and guide them towards reintegration.
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