LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY (PDL) IN LUCENA CITY DISTRICT JAIL

This study investigated the lived experiences of Persons Deprived of Liberty or PDL in Lucena City District Jail to determine the rehabilitation and reformation programs being received including its impact, challenges encountered and coping mechanisms adopted to propose a mental health support. The qualitative phenomenological type of research was therefore employed. The researcher utilized a set of questions as guide for structure interview validated by the Research Adviser and Jail Supervisors to ensure that it complies with the ethical standards. The inductive way of extraction of data was done transpired during the one-on-one interview. The recorded individual responses were reviewed to come up with meanings and patterns to develop codes which are then classified into various themes. It was shown that the rehabilitation and reformation programs were categorized as Professional and Technical Programs such as Livelihood and Skills Training, Access to Healthcare and Medical Needs, Continuation of Education and Personal Growth and Physiological and Physical Reinforcement. Another category was Personal Rehabilitation such as Family Connection, Individualized Assistance and Revitalization of Optimism and Self-actualization and Spiritual Aspects. Meanwhile, The revealed impact were Self-acceptance and Self-development, Character Reformation, Moral Identity Internalization and Normalization of Moral COmpass. However, the Challenges of the PDL were related to Disbelief and Solitude Against Life, Family-related Anxiety and Misery and Early Signs of Depression with coping mechanisms which include Autonomy and Self-acceptance, Personal Fortitude and Spiritual Recovery. A poster material was then developed which may enable the PDL to overcome mental health issues while serving the sentence toward social reintegration.