Caring Behind Bars: A Phenomenological Study on the Caring Roles of Mothers in Prison

Abstract

This research study aimed to identify the caring role experiences of mother inmates in Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail (ISPJ). The study used a phenomenological design. Purposive sampling was used to choose the 7 participants.

The specific techniques utilized were individual interviews, focus group discussions, and narrative data analysis. The unstructured interviews and focus group discussions were guided by the following question: What are your experiences in caring for your children while you are inside the jail? An unstructured individual interview was conducted to explore more data collected from the focus group discussions. The themes that were identified are reminiscing, letting go, communicating, providing, savoring the moment, getting hurt, and powerlessness.

The central theme that emerged from the findings is that the mother caring role experiences of inmates is unique. Although behind bars, inmate mothers make ways to fulfill their mother caring role in their own ways.

Based on the results of the study, the researchers have the following recommendations in order to assist and strengthen the mother caring role of inmates:

1. Self-awareness programs for inmate mothers.
2. Counseling activities for the mother inmates.
3. More programs and activities to promote bonding between the mother inmate and her children.
4. The conduct of the same study to father inmates. In addition, the conduct of quantitative research studies on the same topic.