Asia Pacific Journal of Human Development and Family Studies (AHEAD) 2022: 1 (1)

Ex-Drug Offenders: Life Stories, Experiences, and Adaptation During and After
Incarceration
Gyllevi Prylle F. Bongato

Holy Name University (Philippines)

Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
This narrative study gathered five (5) ex-drug offenders as the participants, aged
eighteen (18) to thirty-five (35) years old. The said participants reside in Tagbilaran
City, Bohol through the help of the Parole and Probation Office participants were
selected through pilot testing. Interview guide questions were used by the participants
to determine the needed information for the study. The demographic profile was
provided by the Parole and Probation Office. Data Analysis of the transcripts was
reviewed by identifying story elements, sequencing, or organizing the story elements,
and presenting a retold story conveying the participant’s adaptation experience. The
merged themes were categorized according to the stated objectives. The study
revealed that there are different experiences or stories of participants that show
adaptation during incarceration and after incarceration and reintegration of ex-drug
offenders is an important issue in efforts to reduce recidivism.The findings emphasized
the need for further research on the topic. The reintegration of ex- drug offenders into
the community has emerged as a key concern as persons deprived from liberty have
increased globally. These ex-drug offenders have not adequately prepared fortheir life
after prison. Future research on ex-drug offenders will help to better understand the
involved participants. Moreover, the findings helped in making a suggested framework
for support for the participants and its kind also revealed its implication in relation to
counseling.
Keywords: Ex-Drug Offenders, Life Stories and Experiences, Adaptation During and
After Incarceration

INTRODUCTION
All persons deprived of liberty must adapt to their new environment. Once criminals were
sentenced to pay for the crime they committed, they become persons deprived of liberty, and the
place for them is the prison. According to the University of Glasgow’s The Scottish Centre for Crime
and Justice Research (2015), the purpose of prison is for public safety by removing offenders from
communities, punishing the offender by removing their right to freedom, especially freedom of
movement, and rehabilitating the offender. They are many studies that revolved around persons
deprived from liberty and their lives behind bars and most of these offenders are using unprohibited
drugs. In Norway using the Norwegian Offender Mental Health Addiction data there were one
thousand four hundred ninety-nine offenders who were identified to have Sixty-five percent of
respondents reported lifetime drug use, and about 50% reported daily use of drugs during the 6
months before incarceration. Thirty-five percent reported ever using drugs in prison, but initiation
of drug use during incarceration was uncommon (Bukten et al., 2020).

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Furthermore, during a drug offender’s tenure, the offender has to adapt and deal not just
with other offenders but with the prison system. After release, the person deprived of liberty
reintegration is a complex process of transition from being an offender to a reinstated member of
society and might result in crime once again. Adaptation includes readjusting and reconnecting to
families, communities, work, and civic life. Previous studies showed that ex-drug offenders face
challenges like social stigma and weak family bonds (Keene et al., 2018). To buffer the risk of
psychological distress, results show that ex-offenders felt a bigger chance of abandoning and ease of
reinstatement to hold back the use of drugs, availability of being employed strong support of family
and circle of strong peers, the individual’s motivation to shift and being at the old age. In the context
of transition, scholars assumed that family is an important support system in the post-release
adjustment of ex-drug offenders. Incarceration distances individuals from their families and their
community, strictly minimizing and controlling contact with the outside world. Despite these
stumbling blocks, those who maintain contact with their families during incarceration tend to
function more adaptively post-release (Folk et al., 2020).
Furthermore, this study’s topic was chosen because of the lack of research on persons
deprived from liberty and their adaptability after their release as ex-offenders struggle to find their
role back in their families and general society. The past studies unreservedly viewed families as a
stable support system for ex-offenders, but studies based on family members of ex-offenders remain
scant. In the context of many studies, their assertion underscores the important roles of receiving
families of ex-offenders as valuable resources of economic and emotional support for successful
reentry and prevention against possible psychological distress (Sexton, 2016).
Moreover, this study was conducted to document the life story of male ex-drug offenders
the fact that men commit a much larger number of offenses than women is a central finding of
criminological research (Estrada et al., 2019) and their self-stories, on their experience of their
adaptation from serving their sentences until they were cleared for release. As these ex-drug
offenders experienced prison life, they are excellent sources of information about the differences
between life inside prison and the life they envisioned after release. Adaptation occurs in an ex-drug
offender’s transition from incarceration to the community as a freed individual to maintain various
aspects to aid in survival. Family connections are critical during the years of incarceration of an
offender (Mooney & Bala 2018).
The expected output is a support framework aimed at helping ex-drug offenders with their
reintegration into society after they have been released from prison. This includes various activities
like seminars, workshops, and classes aiming to give them the necessary skills to function as an
individual in society.

METHODOLOGY
Qualitative research is primarily exploratory research Williamson and Johanson (2017). It is
also used to uncover trends in thoughts and opinions and dive deeper into the problem. Qualitative
data collection methods vary and are grouped using unstructured or semi-structured techniques. It
is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. This type of
research provides insights into the problem or helps to develop ideas or hypotheses for the study
through writing. Narrative analysis is done to understand how research participants construct stories
and narrative from their own personal experience (Rodrigues, 2018). Some standard methods
include focus groups, narrative writing, in-depth interviews, and participation/observations. Since

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the study is a qualitative type of research, the researcher conducted data gathering through interviews
and observations.

Data Analysis
The following measures for data analysis:
1. All interviews were transcribed in verbatim format.
2. The transcripts were then reviewed by identifying story elements, sequencing, or
organizing the story elements, and presenting a retold story conveying the participant’s
experience.
3. The data were analyzed manually for themes using the inductive approach. Specifically,
the following steps were done:
i. The data were combined to see the similarities or commonalities and uniqueness
of the participants’ responses;
ii. The data were then coded and extracted then themes were generated, defined, and
named; and themes were validated by two experts

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

These results addressed the five research problems posed. These profuse in quotes are
directly lifted from the verbatim transcription from Cebuano to English of the interviews of each
research participant. Participants are given aliases to ensure confidentiality.

I. Reasons for Imprisonment

All of the participants (John, Allan, Manny, Bob, and Quibs) were caught and jailed due to
their violation of various sections of the Republic Act 9165. This law is also known as the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. To sum up, the law punishes individuals who use and
distribute drugs. The ex-drug offenders were asked about led to their imprisonment. The reason of
imprisonment of people close to the ex-drug offenders about their imprisonment revolved around
these two themes – drug use and drug pushing.
A. Drug use. This theme pertains to the state of an individual who is psychologically in need
of a certain illegal drug substance. This happened to one of the respondents who was using
methamphetamine. The following statement from Allan mirrored this theme:
“I am a user of methamphetamine and there was one night I bought about one sachet. The police
stormed over and raided the place where I am buying the methamphetamine together with my
friend.”
B. Drug use with pushing. This theme pertains to the reason for imprisonment because
they were caught using a substance and at the same time selling drugs. This is a reality for Bob,
John, Manny, and Quibs. The following statements mirror this theme:
“When I was in Mindanao I sold and planted marijuana in my grandfather’s farm. I was
raided and got caught together with my friends. Someone from the different town
snitched about my whereabouts.”
-BOB

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“I was riding my motorcycle on the way home and I was a little bit intoxicated so I crashed on a
Toyota Innova and my motorcycle was badly destroyed in the front part. I was carrying marijuana
for selling and my bottle and pipe was in my compartment box.”
- JOHN

“I was selling Methamphetamine and I was a user. I sold methamphetamine because back then it
was the only way I know how to survive.”
-MANNY

“I was arrested during the buy-bust operation. The police pretended to be a buyer and I got pushed
to the ground and handcuffed.”
-QUIBS

Many of the ex-drug offenders were caught due to drug possession, and some participants
were charged for more extended drug activities like drug use, drug paraphernalia and selling. Based
on the comparison between the data from the Dangerous Drugs Boards (2019) and this study’s
respondent demographic data, young single men are habitual drug users. There are similarities in
terms of gender (men), age (mean age of 32 years old), civil status (single), and nature of drug-taking
(single drug use). Other factors cannot be determined or accounted for due to the non-parity of
variables. Their arrests were also similar – they were arrested due to a drug raid by the police. In
view thereof, it can be concluded that President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against drugs might
have caused these arrests as most resources of the police were centered on apprehending people who
use drugs under RA 9165.

II. Family Reactions to Imprisonment

The ex-drug offenders were asked about the reactions of their family members or the
significant persons in their lives. The gathered statements revolved around the following themes.
A. Disappointment. Three of the five cases under study shared that their families were
so disappointed about their arrest and incarceration. John mentioned that “My father was very
disappointed and did not talk to me much.” John later expressed that he wanted to make amends
and erase the disappointment by behaving well during imprisonment and if possible, finishing
his education in college after being released from jail. Bob shared the same reaction from his
own family. He said: “My side of the family never knew about my underground transactions. They
were very disappointed for me.” Bob further explained that he was so sad and felt guilty at the
time of the arrest since he kept a big secret of planting marijuana in his grandfather’s yard.
He said: “Of course I was sad and did not expect this to happen but I was just selling marijuana because
I am a believer of its benefits.”
Allan also revealed how disappointed his family was. According to him: “At that time
I began to feel guilty of my drug use knowing that they (my family) were hurt and disappointed. I felt
that I cannot face them for what I did.”

B. Shock. Two of the five ex-drug offenders revealed that their family members had no
knowledge of their involvement into drugs hence, it was a shocking experience when they

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were informed of the arrest. Allan and Bob described that poor communication with their
family members led not knowing drug activities. This can be gleaned from their statements:

“I was not really honest about my family that I am a user… since my family lives in a different
home.”
-Allan

“I did not tell my father and grandfather about my illegal activities.”

- Bob

C. Indifference. Since all of the participants were of legal age and some have been
committing illegal acts time and again, two of them said that their families became
“indifferent” about their imprisonment. Manny, shared that it was already expected of him
and that his family members did not think much of his incarceration due to the fact that
arrests and imprisonment have become a normal happening within their household. He said:
“They don’t have any reactions, I think. My brothers are also ex-offenders so this is normal already with
them.” He further shared that because his brothers were also previously imprisoned, his arrest
was not a new experience for his family. Quibs expressed the same sentiments by saying
“...he [brother] did already expect this to happen to me.”

D. Family Support. Bob and John described the different ways their respective families
showed support during imprisonment. John said that while his father didn’t talk to him
after his arrest, his mother, who was an OFW, went home after a month and stayed home
until his sentencing. Allan and Bob also said that their family members visited them during
imprisonment. On the other hand, most of the acts of support came after prison release.
This is mirrored by John’s statement, “I really appreciate my family and their help now I am
finishing my education in BS in Computer Science.”

The University of Glasgow’s The Scottish Centre Crime and Justice Research (2015)
supports the family’s reaction to disappointment that manifested in this study. According to the
university, the family experienced emotional distress due to the loss of their family member in their
unit. This distress might have been manifested as disappointment in the ex-drug offenders’ family
upon learning that one of their family members was to be arrested by the police. In the case of Allan,
his family wasn’t aware of his drug use. Once it was revealed that he was to be arrested for his crime,
their disappointment might have a more intense characteristic due to the unknown knowledge of
drug use. In contrast, Manny’s situation is the opposite – his family was disappointed but possibly
not at the same level as the families of other ex-drug offenders. Despite the general feeling of
disappointment, the families did move on. Some families held regular visits to their imprisoned family
members, and they continued supporting them until the future ex-drug offenders were released from
prison.

III. Insights Gained from Experience

Insights of each ex--drug offenders on their experiences were varied. Due to imprisonment,
the ex-drug offenders have realized the big difference living a life without liberty. Themes of
acceptance, regret, and opportunity for change have emerged out of the narratives of the five cases.

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A. Acceptance. Quibs, an ex-drug offender who accepted his fate and considered the
prison as his “home”. He shared: “I was in the prison because I committed a crime.” He further
narrated:
“In the prison, it feels like home. From the start I thought, I should be here. In the first place, what else
to do with my life? I don’t know how to survive but to live in the streets.”
This suggests an acceptance of his current predicament and that gave him a sense of
belonging, that prison is where he is supposed to be due to the lack of better circumstances
on the outside.
B. Regret. Four of the five ex-drug offenders expressed regret over what they have done.
Regret is an emotion that leads to improvement and can be a start to correcting previous
wrongdoing. For many persons deprived of liberty, admitting regret is considered an
important step towards rehabilitation and is commonly the first and primary goal of
counseling. The following statements from Bob echoed this theme:
“It is not easy to be in prison. I broke the trust I had with my grandfather and father and I have
to pay and suffer the consequences. The prison life truly is a place where we pay for the crimes
we committed.”
His statement indirectly shows that he feels guilty about what he has done.
Understanding and experiencing the consequences of one’s actions can force a person to
reflect on oneself.
C. Opportunity for Change. Incarceration is viewed by Manny as a turning point in life.
He said: “this is a sign for change”. Ex-drug offenders who have been released and have
experienced reintegration into society see their past experiences as an opportunity for
change. For example, John viewed his arrest and imprisonment less with regret and more as
a sign for him to change. He said:
“It was maybe God giving me a sign to change for the better because I was not a good example
to my brothers but I did not fail in school just my vices and routine.”
Allan also made a similar statement, saying that “I really want to change my whole life
around. I don’t want to go back to prison once again.” Their statement shows that they had indeed
taken the opportunity to change and that they had progressed especially in abstaining from
drug use. This has become the first step for him them their life around.
A study on Adapting to Prison Life: A Qualitative Examination of the Coping Process among
Incarcerated Offenders conducted by Leban et al., (2015) found that 40 incarcerated men to unfold
how they cope with specific prison strains, and why they make such coping choices. They use a variety
of coping strategies—behavioral, cognitive, and emotional—and only some of these strategies
involve offending. This supports the different variations of coping inside the prison along Manny who
stated he accepted where he is supposed to be due to the lack of better circumstances on the outside.
Bob feels guilty about what he has done as he expresses his regret. Regret is an emotion that leads to
improvement and can be a start to correcting previous wrongdoing is a part of the insight he gained
inside the prison. Allan and John both saw their imprisonment as an opportunity for them to change
that this would be a place of sanctuary for them to be better individuals. However, A contrasting
opinion is from Manny, who felt ' ‘at home’’ at the prison, and this feeling may have been influenced
by the presence of his brother in the same jail.

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IV. Adaptation while in the prison cell

The adjustment of the ex-drug offenders in prison life can be characterized by the following
themes:
A. Environmental Adaptation. There is a consensus that prison life is hard. All of the
participants were first time offenders, and they had their particular issues while adapting to
a new environment, the prison cell. Based on the narratives of the participants, the most
drastic change happened with Bob. The following statement from him supports this theme:
“It is not more about the place, but all of the routines I was used to are all gone. That was
the biggest change for me. I can't decide when to eat, what I want to eat and I can't make
choices.”
B. Social Adaptation. In addition to the change in environment, the ex-drug offenders
were also subjected to changes in social dynamics. For instance, John mentioned having a
‘meltdown,’ and he self-admits that he adjusted after 2 months of incarceration. He narrated
during the interview:
“When I entered the prison cell, everyone stared at me but there was this one person who
approached me and tried to talk to me. He introduced me to some inmates and eventually, I
learned to play cards, talk to them more often, and read something to keep busy.”
Allan mentioned that he did not have trouble making friends, but prison life made
an impact on their daily routine. He said: “I thought that they are going to be cruel but not really,
I even gained friends.” Quibs also stated that:
“The inmates helped me a lot. The daily routine is not stressful we have activities as well and
many people visits us. I have lived the rules inside and that helped me a lot.”
In Paterline and Orr‘s study (2016), the values, and personal characteristics of the inmates
affect the degree of assimilation into the inmate subculture. The discussion of whether the person’s
deprived of liberty adaptation to prison life has been made in indigenous or imported approaches.
The study concluded that this type of approach has an impact, and these approaches often classify the
literature about persons deprived from liberty adaptations behind bars. According to the first model,
the pains of imprisonment or deprivations suffered in prison are the reasons and causes of adaptation.
This was echoed by John him having a meltdown inside the prison and he admitted that he adjusted
after 2 months of incarceration. With the drastic changes in routine inside the prison, Bob mentioned
that you don’t have much control over your time. Meanwhile, (Manny and Quibs) have contrasting
experiences. Manny says he already had experienced a ‘lifestyle in the streets,’ and prison life is just
the same.
C. Anticipation for release. The third theme embodied the fleeting desire to be released
and be able to mend ways. The five research participants shared that they foresee themselves as either
pursuing their aspirations or supporting their respective families. Quibs and Manny want to support
themselves through work after release. Quibs mentioned of the need to explore the world is a need
and to make different choices. He narrated:
“As a human it is a need to explore the world. It is my right to be free and live my life as a free
person. If I can see an opportunity for work when I get out whatever comes in my way, I will grab it.
There are times I think I just want to be here but I want to really be free.”

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Quibs mentioned if an opportunity for work could come in his way, he will grab it.
He mentioned he really wants to be free to support himself. Manny recognized that he is young, and
he can still live his life as a free man and have a job.
All of the participants also adapt to their life inside the prison thinking of going back to their
family and supporting them. For example, Bob and Allan viewed his desired freedom less for himself
and more for his family. Bob said:
“For my kids. I want them to know that they still have a father who will take care of them even
though their “papa” made a big mistake. I don’t know if they can still remember they have just visited
me four times in a span of a year than three years later they all fled to Bohol. I want to be there for
them.”
John also desired to be free and wanted his family to be proud of him and be
the brother who wasn’t there for a time to his young siblings. He said: “I want to make my family
proud especially my parents. I want to be a big brother to my siblings.”
This particular result of this study is supported by Pansag et., (2016). They documented the
journey of selected ex-offenders to free citizens. In their study, they concentrated on the lived
experiences of the future ex-offenders as they share their thoughts and feelings about their upcoming
release. The important understanding in this study answers why these offenders want to reintegrate
their selves back in the society. Two of the participants desired to be employed and stated that they
felt they still have a bright future because they are still young. Bob mentioned about missing his
children and want to give his support. Allan and John who showed regret that before incarceration
they weren’t there for their family.
V. Adaptation after release.
The ex-drug offenders were asked about how they adapt after their release and how their
family and other significant persons in their lives reacted to their coming back. The gathered
statements revolved around the following themes:
A. Acceptance. Many, JonhPee and Quibs’ narratives manifested this theme.
Upon reintegrating themselves back into the community and into their family. Manny said:
“The persons who matter to me are my mother and my brothers. They accept me for who I
am and this is the life we get to live by it. Quibs also mentioned the acceptance he
experienced from his brother, He said: “I am currently living with my brother. I don’t know how
to really start my life. I am still in the process of finding a job. Yes, he accepts me in fact I am currently
living with him.”
John also felt accepted and added his family was there throughout his journey of
incarceration and now he is released, He said: “Acceptance in my family was the biggest blessing
in my life they were full support from the day I was arrested, imprisoned, and when I got out.”
B. Rejection. Adaptation as viewed by Bob is a turning point in life. Bob who has
been released and has experienced reintegration into society saw his situation as being
rejected, he mentioned about not having a job and her partner the mother of her children
left to work as an OFW and wants to end their relationship. Bob said:
“I don’t have my family with me. I lost my partner if I was not just caught or served this long,
I should have not lost her.”

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According to study by Obatusin, and Ritter-Williams (2019), family support is a factor in

reducing the chance of recidivism that opens an opportunity to rebuild their life. Four out of the five
participants felt they were accepted by their families. Acceptance is the kind of family support these
offenders need in reintegration. Allan also mentioned the concern his family has for him. In contrast
Bob, experienced rejection as he was imprisoned for a long time and his family went home to the
province of Bohol, and does not want both of them to be separated.
C. Possibility of Relapse. The ex-drug offender faced the possibility of engaging in drugs
once again or relapsing and might commit illegal activities that might lead them to prison.
Manny stated: “That I might do drugs again, alcohol and smoking that is my issue. I don’t know where
to go to. I don’t know if I can get a job or go to school.” Manny felt he might get incarcerated again
due to drug-related crimes. He is concerned about relapsing.
D. Social Stigma. These ex-drug offenders when integrated back into their community
experience the negative stigma that they cannot turn their life around, that they will always
be considered the same person. Quibs said: “The people around me judge me. They don’t believe
that I can change. That is the real struggle I have right now, and I don’t know where to find a job.”
John has a similar experience, and his relatives also think of him that way that he
cannot be successful because he was incarcerated. He stated: “I thought I will have a hard time
enrolling, but it was not a concern. I am just very happy to be free from prison. Since some of my relatives
think I will not be successful anymore… I want to finish my computer science degree.”
E. Feeling of Uncertainty. These ex-drug offenders expressed or showed feeling of
uncertainty about what will happen after their imprisonment. Allan said: “I am afraid to go
back to prison. I am also afraid to face my challenges. I really want to change my whole life around I
don’t want to go back to prison once again. I feel sometimes doubt my family doubts me on how long I
can be consistent.”
Allan mentioned mixed thoughts and emotions on how to reintegrate into society
and challenges that await him. Bob also shared his apprehensions upon release. He fears that
his family might not be complete again. He narrated:
“I cannot make my family complete once again. I am now struggling so much that sometimes I
feel like going crazy because I cannot provide for my family…. I am waiting for my partner
to come home.”
These findings are supported by the social stigma of a person deprived of liberty carries on
even after being released and even basic needs are hard to fulfill. These experiences after prison have
been widely documented and have been the focus of some studies like Moore et al. (2016). This study
focused on perceived stigma would predict adjustment in several domains such as the possibility of
recidivism, affecting mental health, and drug dependence. Stigma significantly has serious
implications for offenders’ functioning once released from jail/prison. In their study, they found out
that perceived stigma predicted worse community adjustment through anticipated stigma. Results
are explored from an interdisciplinary perspective. In the same study, it is underscored that on the
outside, the stigma attached to the ex-offenders is one of the causes of their livelihood. Both Quibs
and John experienced stigmatization as they were reintegrated back into the community. In relation
to fear and anxiety, Allan and Bob what will happen to them now as ex-drug offenders and their
family doubts them and doubting themselves creates that issue on their release.

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VI. Support services for ex-drug offenders

The ex-drug offenders were asked about what kind of support services after their release
would they need and they have thought of the following services.
A. Community support. These ex-drug offenders felt they need to be accepted in the
community showing their desire they want to be involved. These participants want to be
supported by the community. Acceptance requires involvement in the community. Allan
said:
“I hope I can still be welcomed in the community and not be discriminated. It is so hard to live
our lives again normally I am just grateful I have my family and to God because he gave me a
chance to change.”

Allan could feel the support in the community if there shall be no discrimination
towards him and there could be acceptance. Bob added the need of a job, but it is backed by
needing a job for the community to accept him. He mentioned about his feeling after
imprisonment. He further narrated: “Find a job and the community that will accept us. I feel this
sometimes after being released from prison I felt I was thrown back into the society without knowing how
to survive.”
These were the statements stating the support services they need for reintegrating
themselves into the community. To be in the community they need to be involved and
awareness for the public that these prisoners need to be involved in the community.
B. Life skills/education. The ex-drug offenders under study need support from the
government when they are released as they wished to undergo any training, seminars or
workshops. Manny and Quibs both young ex-drug offenders desired to finish an education,
formal or informal if given the opportunity. John stated the need of life skill training. He
said: “Seminars and workshops for career development because sometimes we lose that hope
after being released, like skills, trainings and workshops can also help us so we would now
how to handle ourselves.” Manny added for the need of education. He stated: “Free education
with allowance for people like us. I will try my best if given the opportunity.”
After the peak in early adulthood, it has been observed that the more people age, the less likely
they engage in a crime. Since these participants are still in early adulthood it is important that they
are given the support service they need. A study by Jolley (2018) determined that the life skills are
an important component in reintegration such as recognition, interpretation, reflection, response,
and planning are fundamental which is necessary for conflict resolution, teamwork, stress
management and problem solving. This reality pushes ex-drug offenders to become productive
members of the community and assign young people, especially males, to undertake their social roles.
The findings of this study suggest that the authorities need to assign young people especially males
since the participants are aging from 18 to 35 years old. Education is also one way to reintegrate them
by helping these ex-drug offenders’ life skills to have productive lives.
C. Counseling Services. All of the cases under study clamored for counseling
services upon release from jail so as to sustain their desire to mend their ways. These ex-
drug offenders saw counseling as a chance to influence their decisions. Counseling was
viewed by these ex-drug offenders as a way of guiding them through reintegrating into
society and to their family. Quibs shares his idea of why he would want counseling. He said:
“I think it can help me to be guided but it is inconvenient because of the time.” In Bob’s case, he

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wanted to involve the mother of her kids in counseling. He even said that: “I wanted it since I
just came out from prison. I also like that my partner and I try counseling so both of us could be guided
in raising our children.”
Getting involved in group counseling could facilitate life- long learning. These are
the statement of Allan, he said: “I like it. That I could share, and I could express my feelings … it can
help me or my fellow probationers… I want a one on one counselling or possible groups… I look forward
to it especially it was not long when I was freed from prison.”
In the study of Burden (2019) Having a plan by setting goals helped participants see things
from a different perspective and participants openly shared how these reentry programs have helped
them tremendously. The primary objective of social reintegration programs is to provide offenders
with the assistance and supervision that they may need to desist from crime, to successfully
reintegrate into the community and to avoid a relapse into criminal behavior. In general, there are
upon the experiences of ex-offenders after incarceration to their families, and in particular how the
move from a resistant to the society has facilitated a greater openness and willingness among ex-drug
offenders or ex-offenders to acknowledge the personal and familial problems related to incarceration.
These aspects can be assisted in counseling to help reintegrate these ex-drug offenders. Emotional
and spiritual support and rehabilitation for substances were also classified as immediate. One of the
cited on-going needs is professional services, which counseling is mentioned. In the context of
counseling, there is personal, marital (for spouses), and even family counseling. The family of these
ex-drug offenders can also be counseled to help their family member adapt in the best possible way
he needs.
Based on the results, it can be surmised that the participants in this study’s adaptation. The
main factors of adaptation inside the prison are an acceptance that these ex-drug offenders accepted
their situation that they made a mistake and pay for their crimes. Another factor was regret, regret
is an emotion that leads to improvement and can be a start to correcting previous wrongdoing it is
part of the insight he gained inside the prison. And lastly, some of these ex-drug offenders saw this
as an opportunity for change to stop their wrongdoings to be incarcerated. Their families were a
constant presence in their time before, during, and after imprisonment. In Bob’s case, he already left
his side of the family in Mindanao while his partner and children had to survive without him. Quibs,
who is identified as ‘in progress,” shares this same situation. Overall, family support is crucial to the
ex-drug offenders’ journey inside and outside prison. Studies from Keene et al., (2018) and Mooney
and Bala (2018) have proven this. In addition, In Bob’s case, he is trying to bring back his family, and
he is supported by his mother-in-law in raising the children yet her partner now had a new
relationship outside the country. Quibs currently lives with his brother-in-law, but he does not state
any relationship with the latter besides providing a roof over his head. This is a reflection of findings
in Bertulfo et al., (2016) where the ex-drug offender is welcomed back physically, but the former
needs the family’s acceptance to function as a unit. Recovery capital is an important concept in the
field of addiction studies and family plays a major role in successful reintegration or ongoing
criminality and drug use (Connolly & Granfield 2017.)
One vital part of this study is figuring out the services that ex-drug offenders may need to
continue their life outside the prison bars. When asked these ex-drug offenders wants to be accepted
in the community and be involved rather than having negative stigmatization. Since poverty was the
main reason of their illegal activities it was part of the framework to add training on financial support.
Participants say that seminars, workshops are beneficial to them. Based on the replies, many ex-drug
offenders appreciate the effort of the Parole and Probation office via the office’s follow-up session

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with the ex-drug offenders. Other participants have mentioned the same thing and appreciate these
efforts. Apart from the follow-ups from the Office, Manny, John, and Quibs have a similar additional
suggestion of free education, like skills training that would help them how to act or handle themselves
when they are back in the community or with. All the participants’ viewpoint towards counseling is
very favorable. Counseling has unanimous approval and attention from ex-drug offenders.
In the prison centers in first-world countries, counseling is an optional service for persons
deprived of liberty. In a developing country like the Philippines, counseling and other forms of
therapy are often forgotten due to the numerous issues of the country’s penal system. Despite being
a low priority, the participants in this study all agree that counseling is an excellent service that can
be offered to them. A possible way to implement this is a modified version of Escabel et al. (2015)’s
therapeutic community modality program. Counseling is part of the Counseling and Religious
Services of the program. In the study, the program was rated as an effective intervention among the
prison population.

Framework for Support

Table 1 Features of Framework
Core Findings Goals for Reintegration Sources of Support

1. Acceptance on the ex- • Active family involvement in • Family

drug offenders after release the integration process.
from prison Family to help with coping
• Ex-drug offender can perform
responsibility

• Awareness in public about

negative effects of
2. Social Stigma. These ex- • Family and
stigmatization
drug offenders when Community
integrated back to their • Ex-drug offenders to display
community experiences the good behavior through
negative stigma that they community involvement
cannot turn their life around.

• Ex-drug offenders to be
3. Lack of life skills training, equipped with basic life skills
opportunity for education training during and after
incarceration • Correctional
and employability options
Institution,
• Availability of education
Community, Local
formal or informal
Government and
• Ex-drug offenders to be Family
employable

4. Ex-drug offenders felt • Local government to assist

uncertain of future due to and monitor activities
thoughts violating again and • Local Government,
• Parole and Probation Officers Correctional
relapsing with drugs
to visit family members

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Core Findings Goals for Reintegration Sources of Support

Institution and
Family
5. All participants echoed the • Counseling availability for ex-
need for counseling to give drug offenders
guidance and help ex-drug • Counseling involving ex-drug
offenders make the possible offenders and family • Local government,
right choices and learn from Family, Correctional
the others. Institution

Table 1 shows how the framework of support was designed based on the findings of
the study.
This study’s proposed framework of support to be implemented by the concerned sources
for support. Support concerning the ex-drug offenders and their families are included in a manner
where the governing entity is encouraged to include the family members of the ex-drug offenders in
the efforts for helping the released person deprived of liberty for reintegration into society.
Endeavors which help the family and community provide support for their ex-drug offenders
relative/peer is vital to cultivate understanding and encourage acceptance by the family, which in
turn helps the ex-drug offender to change in a positive direction.
Awareness is the key to cultivating better treatment towards persons deprived of liberty who
are into drug offense, and it also helps release the ex-drug offenders from perceptions coming from
stereotypes or stigmatization. Ensuring ex-drug offenders have an opportunity to display good
behavior. Involvement in community service, the right to be educated and to have an availability of
employment policies including correctional institutions should also be implemented and strictly
enforced to assure mental and physical safety is safeguarded until their release. When incarcerated
inmates would learn life skills and workshops that are in the age area where they belong so when the
time, they are freed from prison they know learn about certain life skill trainings to help them adapt
after prison. Ensuring the awareness of the local government officials that an ex-drug offender just
came out from prison and proper channeling between parole and probation officers with the local
government officials to ensure counseling on ex-drug offenders to avoid reoffending and proper
monitoring should be given. This helps the previous drug offenders gain a positive outlook on his or
her life after release which will encourage him to do better and lower the risk of reoffending. In
addition, local government officials where the ex-drug offender was released, he will then be visited
by the local and reechoes any concern or updates to the parole and probation officer.

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CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM POLICIES

FAMILY CORRECTIONAL
- seminars including
INSTITUTION
members of the family - ensure that practices on
focusing on: handling ex-drug offenders
are being regulated
= dealing with
external opinions -Parole and Probation Officer
to inform local government
= helping with coping about a recent ex-drug
= encouragement offender released

= communicating with - creating a more positive

each other
Ex-Drug environment for the inmates

-ensure life skills training

- financial support Offenders’ inside the prison

Reintegration to -ensure necessary age

COMMUNITY Society LOCAL

- aid in spreading
GOVERNMENT
awareness about the - local government
negative effects of officers to ensure visit
stigmatization and ensuring help
- campaigns for reducing upon return to
negative opinion barangay

- opportunities for ex-drug - ensure local

offenders to display good barangay officials and
behavior parole probation
officers echoes
= job findings upon visit
with ex-drug
= education
offenders

Figure 1: Framework of Support for the Reintegration of Ex-Drug Offenders into Society

Figure 1 explains the primary objective of reintegration among ex-drug offender’s programs
to provide offenders with the assistance and supervision that they may need to desist from crime or
relapsing from drug violations, to successfully reintegrate into the society and to avoid reoffending.
There are four main sources for support of reintegration under the criminal justice system policies,
these are the family, community, correctional institution and local government.

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CONCLUSIONS
The main reason for imprisonment across the five research participants is due to their
violation of various sections of the Republic Act 9165. This law is also known as the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. These ex-drug offenders used drug substances and at the same time
drug selling. What prompted them to sell drugs was found out it was due to poverty.
Family’s reaction upon imprisonment has variations. When a person falls into addiction that
led to imprisonment, life becomes a disappointment in the family for these ex-drug offenders to
know that they are incarcerated. This support often translated to the family’s prison visits within the
respondent’s prison serving time. The family visits proved to be a vital component for the participant
and their journey to have a more positive outlook while incarcerated. Acceptance helps these ex-
drug offenders in adapting to their prison state by accepting their fate. Accepting the predicament
gave one of the participants a sense of belongingness. Regret was also experienced which helped them
realize their wrongdoings. Incarceration was viewed by the participants as an opportunity for them
to change as this did turn their life around. Their release from prison was wholeheartedly accepted
by their respective families.
The stigma brought about by being imprisoned prevents the ex-drug offenders from realizing
their goal of achieving better lives and employment. The feeling of uncertainty about the possibility
of relapsing to drug use and committing crimes was evident. These ex-drug offenders need
community support to combat social stigma and be able to gainfully be employed. Awareness about
the negative effects of drug use should be raised through psychoeducation and campaigns. Various
forms of support were deemed to be necessary such as opportunities to pursue education and attend
life skills training. Counseling for these ex-drug offenders can help their transition toward
reintegration into the society. As citizens of the country, the persons deprived of liberty are entitled
to government support after their release.

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