CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This section presents the introduction of the present study. It discusses and describe the

nature and importance of the study, statement of the problem, scope and delimitations of the

study, definition of terms, significance of the study, theoretical framework of the study, and

conceptual framework of the study.

Nature and Importance of the Study

The Philippines possesses a rate of crime, violence, and terrorism that is rather above

average. In the year 2020, the nation was in the lowest five in the Asia Pacific region for both its

order and security index ranking. In a similar vein, the Philippines was one of the countries with

the highest imprisonment rate for per one hundred thousand people living there. The rate of

criminal activity was especially high in locations that had greater inhabitants, higher

unemployment rates, and poorer neighborhoods. (SRD,2021).

Año noted that from a total of 139,111 incidents in 2016, the number of index crimes

decreased to 41,260 in 2020 and is now at 27,523 for the first nine months of this year. Included

on the list of index crimes are homicide, rape, robbery, violent assault, burglary, theft, motor

vehicle theft, and arson. Because of the severity of their actions and the regularity with which

they are committed, these crimes are used as a measure of the crime experience throughout the

country. Citing the improved national crime situation, Año said crime volume was at a

decreasing trend from 584,883 in 2016; 383,189 in 2020, and 282,631 in the first eight months of

2021. From 2016 to 2021, 307,521 drug personalities were arrested with 13,244 identified as

high-value targets (HVT) in 213,504 illegal drug operations where PHP64.09 billion worth of

illegal drugs were seized (PNA, accessed 2022).

 The Philippine penal system is considered as one of the most concentrated systems in the

world (McCarthy, 2020). Based on the relevant data gathered from the World Prison Brief

(2020), an increasing trend in the prison population of the country can be observed. In 2012, the

total prison population was 106,323 with a prison population rate of 111. In 2016, the total

prison population increased to 142,168 with a prison population rate of 140. In 2019, the total

prison population ultimately reached 215,000 with a prison population rate of 200. Based on the

Mandela rule, prisoners shall be called Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) who, under the

guideline of the United Nations, are entitled to minimum humanitarian treatment (Echeminada,

2017).

Under Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that provides

for the respect for the essential dignity of the human person, the term PDLs is adopted with the

purpose that such neutral term will prevent branding by the use of derogatory words like

“prisoner” and others. The new term PDLs in the Philippines appeared in the Revised

Implementing Rules and Regulations, according to Section 23 of Republic Act No. 10575,

otherwise known as the “The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013.” It legally defines PDLs as

“detainee, inmate, or prisoner, or other person under confinement or custody in any other

manner.”Defined as an ongoing process which is known from within by individuals, lived

experience derives from the phenomenological tradition and is rooted in the enactive approach of

cognition. As such, lived experience appears to be active and passive, holistic, situated in a

complex temporality, and partly pre-reflective (Dieumegarda, 2021).

The Philippines is a State Party to many treaties and agreements pertaining to individuals

deprived of liberty that were ratified by the United Nations. Imprisonment and other actions that

result in shutting off an offender from the outside world are afflictive for the mere reason that
they take away the individual's right to self-determination by robbing him or her of their liberty.

This causes the person to be cut off from the outside world. As a result, the justice system must

not make the suffering that is already present in such a scenario any worse, with the exception of

circumstances in which doing so would be incidental to the implementation of appropriate

segregation or the upkeep of appropriate discipline.

The researchers conduct this study because we notice that this kind of study has not been

studied by any researchers to assess their life after jail in the locale of Alang-Alang, Leyte, aside

from that the researchers choose this study to determine the lived experiences of ex- convicts on

reintegration to the community and to identify how these would help to the ex- convicts. Also,

due to the increasing number of people who released from imprisonment and also the rate of

recidivism, the researchers come up this study entitled: Road To Redemption: Lived Experiences

Of The Ex- Convicts Towards Reintegration In A Community Of Alang-Alang, Leyte, as it is

being mentioned on the title, and the respondents are the people of the said locale. This research

aims to determine the real life lived experiences of a former person deprived of liberty (PDL)

after dungeon or re-incarcerated, and there challenges encountered in the community and how

they addressed that situation.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to explore the lived experiences of the ex- convicts towards reintegration.

The findings of the study will be the basis for the proposed action plan.

The study seeks to answer the following problems:

1. What are the experiences of the informants towards reintegration in the community?

a. Positive
 b. Negative

2. What are the challenges encountered by the informants?

a. Family

b. Community

3. How do the informants addressed the challenges encountered?

4. What are the aspiration of the informants?

5. Based on the findings of the study what intervention program can be propose?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The populations to be considered in this study were residents of Alangalang, Leyte.

Moreover, this study focused on the selected ten (10) barangay of Alangalang, Leyte. The scopes

of the survey were the residents from Brgy. Langit, Brgy. Mudboron, Brgy. Holy Child I, Brgy.

Holy Child II, Brgy. San Roque, Brgy. SalvacionPoblacion, Brgy. Blumentritt, Brgy. San

Antonio Poblacion, Brgy. Bobonon and Brgy. Binongto- an. As per barangay records, Brgy.

Langit has 808 population, Brgy. Mudboron has 2,533 population, Brgy. Holy Child I has1,491

population, Brgy. Holy Child II has 625 population, Brgy. San Roque has 1, 116 population,

Brgy. SalvacionPoblacion has 1,184 population, Brgy. Blumentritt has 425 population, Brgy.

San Antonio Poblacion has 1,506 population, Brgy. Bobonon has 1,008 population and Brgy.

Binongto- an has 684 population. In general, the sample size of this study was ten (10)

respondents. Lastly, an interview survey questionnaire is used in conducting and collection of

data with 3 months duration of conducting this study.

Definition of Terms
 For the purpose of clarification and better understanding of the study, the following terms

are defined operationally;

Aspirations. It refers to the desire of the informant or PDLs to be reformed.

Challenges Encountered. The real time experiences of the informants in which they

faced difficulties.

Coping mechanism. The term is used to describe the ways and means of the informants

of how they overcome the challenges they have encountered.

Former Person Deprived of Liberty. The term is used to address ex-convicts or those

persons who had been incarcerated and are now back again in the community.

Life After Dungeon. A term used to define the condition or existence of a person,

subsequently being incarcerated.

Lived Experiences. It refers to past and current encounter or practical contact with and

observation of facts or events.

Livelihood Training Programs. The term refers to the skills training that includes

vocational skills development, financial literacy and others. This skills training could use as

source of livelihood once PDLs will be released to the community.

Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL). It refers to a person who has been arrested, lawfully

convicted, detained or imprisoned in the execution of a lawful sentence.

Reintegration. The term is used to describe the reformation process of the informants

before they will be released to the community.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will serve as a reference of information and beneficial to the

following sectors;
 Former Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL). As the primary focus of this study, this

would help them to potentially improve their self- determination, social and economic life. As

the interviewee’s share their stories, they may feel empowered by the strength respondents done

and used in their lived experiences.

Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL). This study would be advantageous to them, as they

will be aware of the lived experiences of the former PDL that currently dwelling in the

community.

Department Of Justice (DOJ). As the Principal Law Agency of the Philippines, this

study would be helpful to them as they will discover or be aware if their current strategy in

prosecuting offenders, criminal justice system, and the correctional system is effective.

Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR). This study would be beneficial to the Agency, as a

supporting body that oversees the welfare of the PDLs, this would be a great benefit to improve

the lacking and ineffective way to the reintegration of the PDLs.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). As an Agency that directed,

supervise, and control the administration and operation of all district, city, and municipal jails.

This study would be a great advantage to the agency for them to be knowledgeable on the lived

experiences of the PDLs they release in the community.

Community. This study would help the residents of Alangalang, Leyte for them to be

more aware and to be knowledgeable about the circumstances faces by a PDL in the community.

Criminal Justice Practitioners/legislators. As a future researcher, this study would help

them to have vast knowledge and will serve as a guide about the lived experiences of former

Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in a community.

Future Researchers. As a future researcher, this study would help them to have vast
knowledge and will serve as a guide about the lived experiences of former Person Deprived of

Liberty (PDL) in a community

Theoretical Framework of the Study

This research study will take three theories; the first one is the Bowen’s Family System

Theory by Dr. Murray Bowen (1950), secondly is the concept of Position Theory by Davies &

Harré (1990), and lastly the Labeling Theory by Becker (1963).

This study is anchored in the Bowen’s Family System Theory of Dr. Murray Bowen

(1950). This theory is a theory on human behavior which sees family as emotional component

and used this component to initiate interaction with others. He observed that family members

have the special bond within the family, when some families feel different from their own.

Because of this special connection or bond within the family, when something does not feel

right, family members usually sense this kind of feelings, thought, or actions.

The family system theory suggests that individuals are part of a complex system that

includes their family and social environment. This theory examines how the family structure and

dynamics can influence the behavior and life outcomes of individuals, including ex-offenders.

According to Davies & Harré (1990), in Positioning Theory roles can be dynamically

replaced by positions. Positions are more adaptable and variable than roles, which are thought to

be permanent over time from a range of the individual’s discursive resources. In clinical

psychology and health studies have both used the aforementioned theoretical perspective (Sabat,

2003).

The second theory of this study, Positioning theory it examines how societal perceptions

often stigmatize ex- convicts as criminals, influencing their reintegration into society. This

stigma can lead to limited Job employment opportunities and offers as employers may
discriminate them based on past convictions.

The last theory for this study is the Labeling Theory. This theory was developed in the

second half of the 20th Century, particularly known through the works of Howard Saul Becker in

his book titled Outsider. According to Becker (1963), society has laid down norms and all those

who do not respect these norms are regarded as outsiders and their acts are termed deviance. He

also claims that the society sometimes falsely accuse people for breaking social norms and labels

them as deviants..

Labeling theory, also known as social reaction theory, focuses on the effects of societal

labels and reactions on individuals behavior. In the concept of ex- offenders, labeling theory

examines or analyze how the social stigma and status of being labeled as a criminal can impact

their lives. Labels are placed on the persons who are wrongly accused of a crime would

transform these non-criminals into criminals. However, labeling theory helps to create criminals

by labeling some behavior as normal and other behavior as abnormal. All those with abnormal or

not normal behaviors in a society are stigmatized and labeled as deviants. Once a person id

stigmatized and brand as deviant, he finally accepts and develops the traits of the deviance. Thus,

the society transforms people into criminals through the labels it places on the people.

The Labeling Theory explains that an offender remains a criminal in the eyes of the

society forever. Secondary deviance, unlike primary deviance assists in creating criminals. In

secondary deviance, the society places a stigma and a label on the offender. The label placed on

the offender becomes hie new identity. Unconsciously, the offender adapts his behavior to suit

this accepted identity. From the works of Lemert and Becker , societal response to offending

through stigmatization and punishment triggers more offending.

In conclusion, the Theory of Dr. Bowen (1950) it differs from the other two theory as it is
about the way how the ex- convicts cope up the challenges in interacting with their family and

other people. The Family are the people who share a bond with the ex- convicts and make them

feel they are still accepted. Theory of Davies and Harré (1990) are the ways or coping styles in

making adjustments to continue their lives after imprisonment. Positioning theory is

conceptualized that individuals position themselves and others in social reality through the use of

discourse. Position isn’t static but dynamic and reflexive, changing in response to

communication dynamics. Labeling Theory suggests that a person or individuals become deviant

or criminal when labeled by the people in the society. The societal reaction to perceived deviant

behavior reinforces that label, directing the individuals to engage in behaviors aligning with their

label, creating a self- fulfilling prophecy. Therefore, the family, society and community plays an

important role for these theories as the former person deprive of liberty or ex- convicts facing

their reintegration process.

Conceptual Framework of the Study

The researcher constructed the following figure to represent the relationship among the

variables in the study. Figure 1 shows the flow of the study, the conceptual framework of the

study consisting of the inputs, processes, and output which along the process is expected to

attain. The inputs include the experiences of the informants towards reintegration in the

community, challenges encountered by the informants, how do the informants addressed the

challenges encountered, and the aspirations of the informants. Most importantly, the statement of

the problem should be answered at the end of the research. This will serve as the definitive

representation of all the data we require for our investigation. The processes include

phenomenological approach with an aid of a questionnaire, collection of data through individual

interview and focus group discussion, thematic analysis and transcription. With all of this data
gathering and questionnaires, the researcher’s questions will be delivered to our respective

respondents for them to answer and for us to be aware of their responses. The success of this

study will also result in the success of its output, which is to proposed information program

based on the finding of the study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 The experiences of  Collection of data

the informants through individual
towards interview and
reintegration in the Focus Group
community. Discussion (FGD)
 Challenges  Thematic
encountered by the Analysis; and
informants.  Transcription
 How do the  Interpretation of Proposed
informants Data Intervention
addressed the Program
challenges
encountered.
 The aspirations of
the informants

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

This study will focus on investigating the lived experiences this includes the challenges and

best practice on coping the challenges that former Person Deprived of Liberty or Ex- convicts

encounter in the community. The following literature studies were compiled in thematically

manner to give ample information to the study. This will aid the readers’ understanding of the PDL

from other literature studies conducted in the past.

Related Literatures

Experience is something that makes our life more crucial to live with and each person

was different experiences. For the previous Person Deprived of liberty life in jail is though,

grievous and cruel as they are separated from the society and their family. Incarceration is a

significantly stressful event for a person. Regardless of the coping ability and adaptability of

human, experiencing such event can change an individual’s biophysical balance to such an extent

that the memory of a particular negative event overshadows all other experience and affects the

ability to cope with reality (Gales et al, 2023). In prison, the offenders tend to relive the moments

of their crime that can make them felt the guilt and be remorseful. Eventually, having the

thoughts that may result to depression, however, some inmates cope and adjust to imprisonment

differently depends on their personality, particularly, the individual belief on the hope and

optimism. Inmates coping mechanism possibly involves looking for social and emotional

support, finding for new meaning, and avoidance methods for example avoiding risky situation,
resting as much as possible and completely surrendering and following the rules in jail. This

article is relevance to the study of lived experiences of former person deprived of liberty because

it talks about the experience happened to every individual person and how their lives changed

because of that experience. Incarceration it is a state of being confined in prison because of crime

they commit. Incarceration is a method that used to the offenders to pay their sin and repent. In

other words, this statement talks about a person who had been incarcerated before and also it

state there, their experiences and felt encountered during inside the prison.

In Mandela rule, prisoners will be called Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in which,

under the guideline of the United Nations, are entitled to minimum humanitarian treatment

(Echeminada, 2017). The term PDL is adopted and use now for the purpose that such neutral

term will prevent branding by the use of derogatory words like “prisoner” and others. In

Philippines, the term PDL is appeared in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations,

according to Section 23 of Republic Act No. 10575, otherwise known as the “Bureau of

Corrections Act of 2013. It legally defines and stated that PDL as “detainee, inmate, or prisoner,

or other person under confinement or custody in any other manner.” Community as a fifth pillar

of Criminal Justice System, an institution where Person deprived of liberty are given a chance to

reform and reintegrated back to the society.

Being called detainee, inmate, or prisoner people looked at you as a bad person, a violent

person in short you are dangerous to their society or community. Community it is a group of

people living together in the society, it is a feeling of fellowship with others as result of sharing

common attitudes, interest, and goals. In this article explained the reasons why change the name
of a person under confinement into a Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) it is because to avoid

derogatory and shaming. Our former PDL experienced such things avoided by people, feared,

and sometimes reviled because of their background. It is difficult for them to find someone who

accept them and give them a place to the society. Most of the PDL are still resists in life and try

to regains people’s trust but on the other hand, if they feels like they are not accepted by the

community it could lead to depression and become a recidivist.

According to Travis and Visher (2005) that cited by Reamico (2022), that reintegration is

not an option but rather a consequence of imprisonment, prearranged that in most cases almost

everyone imprisoned will be one day be released. As our penal system does not only focuses on

the punishment of the criminal but also on reforming the PDL and be reintegrated back to the

society. Reintegration is the process carried out by a previously incarcerated person is following

the social rules, beliefs and also covers, but is not limited to, getting paid employment, correctly

finding clothes, nutrition, transport and place to live or accommodation and guarantee to be

secured (Visher, 2015).

Imprisonment is cause mental or emotional stress to the person condemned. It is a

method used to the person to regret all they have done and reform, that someday they will be

reintegrated back to the community. Reintegration is a phenomenon that the PDL are waiting and

wishing to happen, it is the time where they are released from the prison and return to the

community. But, there are prisoners who are not happy about this, especially people who know

for themselves that they have nowhere to go or no one to welcome them, so others prefer to stay
nearby the jail and pavements because they are not sure that they will have someone to stay

with.

Former Persons deprived of liberty in the Philippines, will face many challenges with

reintegration into the community after being incarcerated. According to Western (2018), ex-

convicts are victims of lifetime violence, from being incarcerated and after being released from

prison, they will suffer the racial inequality, unemployment, difficulty to rejoin social cycle,

mental illness, and chronic pain while staying in the community. That single fault or mistake

committed by a person is enough to permanently stigmatize a criminal. Even the term ex- convict

or ex prisoner change the treatment and view of society towards PDL still didn’t change. It is the

conflict of the idea of the people in the community to be safe from the possibility of an ex-

offender to commit a crime again. Based on research of Besin- Mengla (2020), ex- convicts in

Cameroon turn into recidivists due to inability to reintegrate in the society. The community

rejection towards ex- offenders causes them to consume vices and commit crimes leading them

to be re- imprisonment. Therefore, social reintegration or community- based correction is

difficult because they are alleged as traumatized individuals, which expected to enforce violence

anytime.

The literature stated the reintegration experiences of the former PDL to the community.

According to this article former PDL feel discrimination wherein they are difficult to look for

opportunity to their life and also difficult to communicate to the people that surround him. One

mistake you did is imprinted to the people’s mind and it is difficult to get rid of it, this is the

reasons why some former PDL after their incarcerated they don’t want to reintegrate because
they feel that no one accept them to the outside or others reintegrate to the community but

become a recidivist. Their adjustment to shattered family relationship and community,

unemployment and government limited care and services on them are the common factors that

struggle them, so the crime- fighting strategy is an important component for an offender in

reintegration. It is mentioned that ex- convicts face myriad challenges that could drive their

recidivism (Chikadzi, 2017). One of the challenges is the family relationship, PDL serves their

sentence in prison for a period of days, months and years that make them separated from their

family. Imprisonment or confinement is a comprehensive rehabilitation of those who are given a

novel chance of life, however, it can attract issue of abuse, worst violations, superiority, and

inferiority (Muthee, 2020; Papaioannou&Anagnou, 2019). Community- based correction is

another form of rehabilitation for PDL, where they are back in the society and be part of

socialization and they are expected to be a law-abiding citizen. Interaction to others and

treatment of the family members and community to an ex-offender can affect their community-

based rehabilitation or reintegration successful and also fail.

In this article we can say that it is really hard to be in prison because we don’t know

where we’ll end up after serve our sentence. We don’t know what will happen to us outside, if

we can handle the challenges wait us outside in other words it is very difficult to adjust to the

community. That's why the others, when they can't handle it, they go back to their old work,

commit again another crime or become a recidivist.

Stigmatization is often directed to the criminals as a problem and made an important

challenge or obstacles to reintegration. Respondents, who considered criminals as consistent or

unwilling to change or improve, also those who felt more irritated and outraged on the crimes

that committed, revealed a large preference for social distance (Tan et al, 2016). They distance

their selves to PDL that leads to be excluded and made them feel not belong to the society. As

Moore et al. (2016) state that criminals are identify as lifetime criminals as it is an expected

stigma of the convicts. These stigmas are internalized in which discovered riskier to the mental

health and develop anti- social behavior and indulging to the environment. When an ex- offender

returns in the community setting is crucial as it develop or find an explanation for recidivism

(Ashley Renae Williams- Queen (2014). It also stated that criminal behavior is a socially learned

behavior, which these behaviors may be learned from the parents, family members,

acquaintances, and the environment. An individual reintegration will be determined successful or

not, based on the effects that the environment has on the person returning back to society after

being imprisoned or incarcerated. This article talks about to the community and how they treat

our former PDL. It is very difficult to the former PDL on their reintegration to the community

because the community itself does not like them. The people in the community themselves avoid

them for the reason that they violent the law and the community itself makes them feel that they

do not belong the society. It says that if the community continuingly to avoid former PDL, the

case of recidivism increases.

In the Philippines, correctional institutions are overpopulated in which establishments are

can’t accommodate massive population that is why as the number of prisoners increase, the

recidivism rates increase. In 2014, the prison population rate was 121 with a total of prison

population of 120,076. In 2016, a total of prison population escalates to 170,543 prisoners with a

prison population rate of 167. In 2018, the population of prisoners continue to increase as it
reaches a total of 188,278 prison population and a prison population rate of 179 and in its latest

report in 2021, the population of prisoners raises to total of 165,583 prison population and a

prison population rate of 151 (World Prison Brief, 2022). The article tell us that in the

Philippines has a higher rate of prisoner and also high rate of recidivism because of this our

correctional institution are overpopulated that every establishment are can’t accommodate

because of huge population.

In addition, it is found out that in Manila, Philippines according to Mojica et al. (2020)

that crime is associated to some demographic covariates namely density, percentage, young

males, education, marriage and immigration. Crime is related to many factors because a behavior

become a crime, as there is a law punishing the act. Thereby, Philippines has overtaken the

Haiti’s prison which has operated over a capacity of 80- 100 prisoner each cell (Jones &Narag,

2019). It is the society’s concern towards eliminating deviance and criminal behaviors, though it

must be conscious of how these people are dwelling in life while being affected by crime

associated factors.

Into the fact that aside from some failure to justice that is supposed to protect the people

of their right and innocence from conviction, the identified criminals have difficulties to seize

survival. Also, in local problem it includes stigmatization that significantly affects ex- offenders

in perceiving life. In the study of Palgan and Apolinario (2022) mentioned that, while being

incarcerated the relationship with their immediate family is barely maintain, that leads to form a

gaping wound of the relationship that causes much provocative problems and leaving prison will
remind them that their families are already broken, and no homes are prepared to welcome or

receive them, and their skills or employment capabilities do matter at all.

Stigmatization is the greatest problem of the ex- convicts in the society as the people in

the society permanently labeled as criminals. Aside from stigmatization, social discrimination

also add- on to many underlying factors that could slow- down or hinder in their reintegration

process. The road to redemption or reintegration is the longest process of reforming a PDL but

how can an ex- convict truly reform him/herself in the community. This study will benefit

researchers, governments, policy-makers, municipalities and other organizations in relation to

the welfare of the former person deprived of liberty or ex- convicts, to increase the awareness of

the problem, eliminate or decrease the factors that affect their reintegration, reduce costs,

maximize efficiency, and transform the way we approach on the PDL in the community.

Related Studies

In the study conducted in Southern California. The result shows that, even though the

participants of the study possess diverse backgrounds in life experiences, they share common

needs. The result also found out that almost all of the participants of this study had needs

including self- sufficiency in employment, greater education, housing stability, and vocational

training. In accordance with the first study, despite the diverse life that the informants had

experienced, almost the same needs that the participants had shared. Also, in the result of this

study states that one respondent expressed frustration with the transition from prison to home

stating, “It would be easy to transition if the community were more concerned about their fellow

man. They can at least help with employment, society is individualistic.” (Personal interview,

March 2014). It appears that this respondent believes that he would be more successful in his re-
entry or reintegration to society, if the society and the government was more collective in its

approach to meet the needs of this particular population. That’s why the Support system coming

from the society plays an important role in the reintegration process of the former Person

deprived of liberty or ex-convicts in the community.

In the study of Desmarais & Mitchell (2022) Offender reintegration is the process of

transitioning from imprisonment to mainstream society. In this process, offenders begin to adjust

to the outside world following their release and hopefully get to live a life free of crime.

Furthermore, ex-offenders and ex-convicts have frequently felt like outcasts in their

communities. They are made to feel unwelcome in society by others. Some people do not treat

them correctly, and they have also experienced negative attitudes from those around them. That’s

why it is significant to the ex-convicts to have a successful reintegration to the community to

avoid or to prevent repeating the crime that was committed.

In a study of Palgan & Apolinario (2022), concluded that ex- offenders’ challenges in

reentry to community are induced by internal forces, external forces, and factors- driven to their

approach differ according to the relevance of these to be addressed. For them these are passive to

typical challenges, and that is inflicted or uncertain to one’s mind by one’s own. An approach

that allows them to devise contentment towards the receipt of the wage on a particular job

available and offered, in spite of their state despite simple living, and they are subjective or

biased on uncontrollable challenges induced by people in the society. Their devotion and

submission to God and religious activities that help them divert attention and alleviate worrying

about particular challenges. Also, this study points out that their worries and people’s perception
towards PDL are irrelevant since their freedom from prison dominates to be significant. This

study found out that ex- offenders are concerned about overcoming the challenges that impact

their immediate family, risk their lives, and compel them to recidivism other than worrying about

their difficulties as perceived by society.

In addition, in the study conducted in Nevada (2022), the study revealed the services and

resources provided by HFP (Hope for Prisoners) a non- profit organization that helps assist with

services and opportunities for individuals who were formerly incarcerated. It stated in the result

that the resources and services HFP provides clients, helps minimize the barriers associated with

re-entry that leads to lower recidivism. It can see that because of the support coming from a non-

profit organization, a representative from the society PDL feel accepted back in the community.

Through their service, and program, HFP sets a standard of providing ex- offenders with ways to

‘see a “light at the end of long tunnel”. In this study the participants were reflected on the

difference between who they were and their “true- self”. It believes that this approach of the non-

profit organization influences the ex- offender to surrender and compile to the laws and rules of

the society, preventing and assessing them not to become a recidivist.

Moreover, a study conducted in Romania (2020) found out that children's education has a

great deficiency and the researcher believes that young families should be helped dealing with

the education of children. As the researcher observes in this study that lack of education is the

greater factor that a person influence to commit a crime. It is also pointed out that in society

there is a great need to motivate parents to live according to some principles and moral values,

that they should firmly build or establish in the minds of their children. In others, parental
education is important to a child or even they reach adulthood not to become an offender. This

study uniquely presents research that stands on evidence of some issues like spiritual assistance

and church involvement, in order to gain mentality changes for the inmates and be ready for the

reintegration. The Researchers of this study concludes that there is a need for more assistants and

for the quality of assisting the PDL to improve, allowing them to better prepare for the process of

recovering their liberty. In this approach, it would substantially contribute to convicts' social

repair, resulting in the prevention of relapse and successful social and occupational integration.

A study entitled “Lived Experiences of Reintegration: A Case Study of How Former Persons

Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Experienced Reintegration in a Local Context” (2022), revealed that

the most common lived experiences of the respondents expressed were the feeling of anxiety

sensitivity, trust issue, seeking for fair treatment, job opportunity, and their life learnings as PDL.

Result shows that most of the former PDL had experienced a trust issue among their relatives

and friends. Fair treatment from the community is what the former PDL participants are

somehow seeking and expected to attain. However, the study found out that the other participants

had fair treatment from his colleague. This finding is a good note that the Philippines has a great

reintegration community for PDLs. The former PDL also experienced difficulty in seeking or

looking for job opportunities. In the result, it stated that one respondent said that he also had

some job opportunities like laborer on construction projects, as baggage boy and buy and sell.

This study also shows the coping mechanism of the former PDL’s on the challenges they

encountered in their reintegration process such as the feeling of hope, acceptance by the

community members, family support, mind shifting, and the feeling of acceptance as a member

of the society. This coping mechanism mentioned by the researcher is important in the
reintegration process of any former PDL, for them to gain back and boost their self- confidence

and live a normal life.

From the study of Social work 2023, Upon release, offenders are plunged into an

environment that is different from the prison environment and they struggle to cope.

Furthermore, given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of society, ex-offenders who spend

long periods in prison are released into an environment that is very different from their former

environment before imprisonment. This poses a serious challenge for the reintegration of

offenders. Given that successful reintegration of offenders is central to crime reduction, it is

important that the science of offender reintegration be thoroughly understood. It also observes

that a deepened understanding of offender reintegration allows professionals, the family and

communities to better support the adjustment of offenders upon release, which in turn reduces

their chances of recidivism. This study notes, with concern, that the reintegration of offenders

back into mainstream society is unsettling for many people. There is some marked resistance to

accepting offenders. Such stigma defeats efforts to rehabilitate offenders and disadvantages both

the offender and society.

In study entitled “The Reintegration Of Ex- Convicts In Society: The Disadvantages &

Advantages” (2020) it shows that the advantages of reintegration of ex-convicts includes, they

will enable them get support from family and friends which would help them stay off crimes

where there is a wiliness to do that, it gives them a second chance at life, it gives them the

opportunity to right their wrongs. They become examples to young ones treading the path to

crimes and also tell their stories of how bitter it feels to lose their freedom, and reintegration
helps to test how effective the correctional centers have been in helping to improve this ex-

convict. In the absence of material, psychological, and social support at the time of their release,

offenders may have a very difficult time breaking the cycle of release and re-arrest. Also in

disadvantages it includes most convicts returning to the society will face uncertainty over their

future and animosity from a predominantly unforgiving society, as well as a multitude of

personal, social, and legal barriers that prevent them from leading law-abiding lives, finding safe

and affordable housing is difficult for ex- convicts who often face limitations on where they can

live. If ex-convicts are forced to return to the same destructive environment that contributed to

their initial incarceration, they will often submit to the same temptations and reoffend and most

of these convicts after reintegration go back to crime, especially in attempt to make the society

pay for their years in prison. Hence, everyone deserves a second opportunity to correct their

wrongs especially if they are willing to do so. Remember not everyone in the correctional center

is guilty, some are just victims of circumstances.

From the study of Simmons University year 2022, Former prisoners face challenges at

every level. A person's successful reentry into society can be viewed through how adequately

they are able to meet these basic life needs, “livelihood and family”. In Livelihood, many

prisoners have limited education and work experience, which makes it difficult for them to

secure employment after they are released. In accordance with this study, “about 70 percent of

offenders and ex-offenders are high school dropouts.” As a result of incarceration and

involvement in the criminal justice system, many former prisoners are viewed negatively by

former employers or by individuals within their former professional networks, if they previously

had one. The combination of a limited professional network and a conspicuous résumé gap can

make it very difficult for ex-convicts to get an interview with a prospective employer. In
families, studies have also shown that prisoners who maintain consistent contact and connection

with their families during their sentences have a lower recidivism rate than those who do not.

Over half of incarcerated adults are parents of minor children, which means they may miss out

on many of their children’s critical and formative years. Unfortunately, there are obstacles to

maintaining consistent contact with family, and challenges for ex-offenders once released. As

previously stated with this study, as a researcher, in efforts to prevent recidivism, livelihood and

family difficulties are also crucial basic needs of ex-convict community reintegration.

In conclusion, The researchers have conducted this study to determine Road to

Redemption: Lived experiences of the ex- convicts towards reintegration in the community of

the selected barangay of Alangalang, Leyte, since this kind of study is not popular and the target

group is not really noticed by the community. Therefore, to support this study and to have a

reliable source about lived experiences of the former PDL or ex- convicts the above- mentioned

studies are needed.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This section presents the methodology of the present study. It discusses and describe the

research design, research environment, research informant, research instrument, research

procedure, data collection, data analysis, ethical consideration, trustworthiness of research.

Research Design

The type of qualitative research utilized in this study was a phenomenological approach.

In this study researchers would like to know the experiences of the ex- convicts towards

reintegration Phenomenological Approach is most suited in this study as it aims to know and

explore what people experienced and focuses on their experience of a phenomenon. It will be

used to help and easily understand people’s beliefs, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships

(Pathak et, al, 2013). It generates non-numeric data. The integration of phenomenological

approach intervention studies is a research strategy that attracts more attention across disciplines.

Its goal is to have a definition of specific details and to understand how this approach will further

establish a theory. This provides rich knowledge in order to collect as many variables as possible

in order to define the nature of the conditions that came together to create a specific

manifestation. Its goal is to obtain a thorough explanation of a particular case and to understand

it and to build on the theory of this approach. The single-case study was considered necessary in

conducting the study in order to comprehensively describe the focus of this study.

Research Environment

The locale of this study is the municipality of Alang-Alang, Leyte. In 2020 it was
estimated to have a population of fifty-seven thousand one hundred eighty-five (57,185) that

contribute three point twenty-two percent (3.22%) of the total population in the province of leyte,

or one point twenty-six percent (1.26%) of the overall population of the Eastern Visayas region.

(Alang-Alang, Leyte- PhilAtlas, n.d., p. xx).

This study will be conducted at the locality of Alang-Alang, Leyte with at least ten (10)

chosen barangays in the said locale. There are fifty-four (54) barangays in the municipality of

Alang-Alang, Leyte. The researchers chose this environment because of the large number of

population in this municipality we do believe that there is also a high rate of imprisonment and

also a former person deprived of liberty. Hence, the researchers sought to know the lived

experience of the former person deprived of liberty (PDL).

 Figure 2. Map of Municipality of Alangalang

Research Informants
 The chosen informants will consist of former person deprived of liberty, within the chosen

barangays of Alang-Alang, Leyte. The participants include ten (10) former Person Deprived of

Liberty in the community who have incarcerated in various prison in the Philippines both

consisting male and female sexes from ten (10) different barangays in the municipality of

Alangalang, province of Leyte. The researchers gathered four (4) informants for individual

interview and six (6) informants for Focus Group Discussion (FGD).

Research Instrument

The researchers used interview guides using open- ended questions to determine the lived

experiences of the ex-convicts towards reintegration process in the municipality of Alangalang.

The interview provides statements that figure out the experiences of the ex- convicts after their

released from prison. The respondents have a close interview with the researchers to determine

their lived experiences that may be a result for a change treatment to them. There are follow- up

questions provided if the respondent wants to elaborate their experiences in their family and

community after being incarcerated.

Research Procedure

This study conducted during the school year 2023- 2024 at the municipality of

Alangalang, Leyte. It will be considered to the following data gathering procedure. First, the

researchers sought permission from the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice of Education in

order to conduct the study. Second, as the letter is approved, the researchers personally asked an

assistance to find respondents of the study from the barangay officials of the selected barangay in

the municipality. Third, the researchers personally interview with open- ended questions to the

respondents of this study. Fourth, the researchers used mobile phono to record the responses of
each respondents interviewed. Lastly, the researchers give gratitude to the respondents in sharing

their experiences wholeheartedly.

Data Collection

To understand the lived experiences of the ex- convicts in the selected barangay of

Alangalang, Leyte, the researcher formulates a interview guides to know their stories on how

their family, and society welcome them or accept them after being released from the prision

institution through an interview. As the interview guides are approved, the researchers went

personally to the respondents in the selected barangays. The researchers explain the instruction to

the respondents to fully understand what the interview is all about.

The researchers agree not to divulge, publish, or otherwise make known to unauthorized

persons or to the public any information obtained in the course of this research project that could

identify the persons who participated in the study.

After the data collection, the researcher will transcribe all the response in the interview

and start the coding.

Data Analysis

The primary source of data will be taken from the chosen former PDL residents from

their respective barangay. The researchers will use a cellphone as the audio recorder and will

play the voice message several times and transcribe the data to categorize the themes of the

transcription. Member checking will be carried out to ensure the credibility of the participants’

responses (Arora, 2017). This will be done by letting the participants read the transcript reports if

there are alterations needed to be done and letting them clarify the meaning of their responses.

Then open coding of data will be involved by first reading the transcripts line upon line
thoroughly and employing emic phrases to each piece of text (Lendolf& Taylor, 2002).

Afterwards, the similar thoughts of the text will be grouped accordingly until all portion of the

text will be coded. Each code will be generated by using gerund phrases to preserve the

conveyance of the participants’ responses with their meanings (Charmz, 2016). Upon coding the

information, the researchers will produce a deeper of the codes by linking some themes and sub-

themes to related literature findings. Then the researchers the interpret the coded information and

will give their personal stances with the meaning of the codes.

Ethical Consideration

The researchers will make sure that all the data that they will share will have its

confidentiality among public. In such effort that the researchers will assure that their information

will be keep in secret in order to avoid from being compromised. Before they tackle on the

answering the questions, a letter of informed consent form will be given to sign for agreement -

assure if they will be willing to participate or not.

The respondents of this study will not be forced to give their respective answers, unless

they sign for an agreement and pseudonyms will be used when names are mentioned in the

evidence. For confidentiality the researchers will delete all the recordings after analyzing the data

that will be accumulated. To avoid identity compromission, pseudonyms will be employed to the

participants. For honesty, the researchers will tell them everything about the purpose of their

study.

Trustworthiness of Research

Lincoln and Guba (1985) rely on four general criteria in their approach to

trustworthiness. These are credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The

credibility of this study is to ensures that rigor was properly observed during the data collection

during the interview, wherein the researchers will avoid drawing conclusions from the interview

but based everything on factual data, and directly taken from the response of the participants.

The researchers will see to it that no relevant data will be excluded and no irrelevant data will be

included. According to Suter (2012), refers to the confidence of the believability of the findings

which is enhanced by evidence such as confirming evaluation of conclusions by research

participants, convergence of multiple sources of evidence such as interview transcripts, reflective

field notes and investigator triangulation are used to strengthen this study. Meanwhile in

transferability, the researchers described in detail the research context and the assumptions that

are central to the research and showed all data as transparent as possible. Researchers make sure

that the data are rich with descriptions, so that the persons who wishes to “transfer” the results to

a different context is then responsible for making the judgment of how sensible the transfer is. In

dependability, the researchers ensured that the consistency during the data collection and

analysis by doing the code- recode system during data reduction and applied to peer examination

and investigator triangulation of the data collected and analyzed of this study made is reliable.

With regards to confirmability, the researchers will set aside personal opinions, assumptions and

judgments in order to guard against distortion of data. The use of audio-taped interviews, note-

taking and journals, the researchers kept throughout the study is one way of ensuring

confirmability. This is further substantiated by Ramsey (2010) that confirmability refers to how

well the results are confirmed by others. Corroborating with the statement of Suter (2012)

stressing that is the application of objectivity or neutrality and the control of researchers bias in

research study.
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter covers the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data gathered by the

researchers from their participants relating to the lived experiences of ex-convicts in

reintegration of the community. The sources of information are collected through interview. The

method used by the researchers were specifically discussed in methodology.

Presentation of Data

The researcher were able to gather relevant statements from its participants in developing

such information base in their experiences and without inserting any personal perspectives.

The developing information are grouped accordingly to their similarities and differences

in descriptions or depictions pertaining to the study. The researcher created sub questions which

best represents participants’ lived experiences in positive and negative ways. In this case, the

following sub questions to wit are:

1. What are the experiences of the informants towards reintegration in the community?

a. Positive

1. After being released from the prison institution, what are the grateful experience you

have encountered?

b. Negative

1. What are your negative experiences in your community after your release?

2. How did that experience affect your lifestyle?

2. What are the challenges encountered by the informants?

 a. Family

1. In dealing with your family, what are the challenges that you have faced after being

released to the community?

b. Community

1. What are the challenges that you have faced in dealing with other members of the

community?

2. What are the challenges that have faced of your family after your released to the

community?

c. Job and Employment

3. How do the informants addressed the challenges encountered?

a. What action did you do to handle those challenges that you have encountered?

4. What are the aspirations of the informants?

The researcher thereafter selected best possible statements from the transcribe interview

recordings to which may give information connected to the issue raised in this study, providing

significant interpretation of the questions given to the participants.

5. Based on the findings of the study what intervention program can be propose?

The researcher thereafter selected best possible statements from the transcribe interview

recordings to which may give information connected to the issue raised in this study, providing

significant interpretation of the questions given to the participants.

I. Experiences of the informants within the community after been released

Some ex-convicts may experience positive and negative factors within the community

after been released. Some of them may not well treated by people and at the same time they are
not accepted within the society. Despite all of these, these convicts can still have the treat that

they want positively.

Positive Experiences: According to the statements provided by the participants, most of them

explained happily how their families accepted them despite being ex-convicts. This is supported

by Informant 1 in the Focus Group Discussion.

Family over Being Ex-Convict

Being an Ex-Convict who made a crime, being reintegrated or with their families again

provides different emotions. They may think at some time that they regret to do such action and

having the feeling of happy because they feel validated and accepted in the society. Mostly,

they’re rather to be speechless due mixed emotions they feel.

(For me, the experience I am grateful for is how my whole family accepted me since I was

imprisoned. That’s all).

Para ha akon an experience na ginpapasalamat an kun paano ak gintanggap hin buo lagihap an

akon pamilya tikang ka preso. Amu la adto.

Negative Experiences: The participants were not treated well in the community since they are

Ex-Convict. Also, they experienced discrimination wherein they were still identified by the

community as criminals despite being released in jail. This were supported by Informant 1 and 4.
Discrimination Outside the Reality

Just like positive reactions, the allegations and mistreatments experienced by these Ex-

Convicts may also give a wide range of emotions however, in negative perception. Being

identified as criminals despite the existence of innocence may still provide frustration,

disappointment and depression to oneself. This kind of perspective by the society can bring

people like them degraded and it may affect their actions and mental well-being in reintegrating

themselves within the community. Therefore, Ex-Convicts shall have the right to prove that they

also deserve to be treated equally and recognizing their presence with several chance of

opportunities in the society.

Like he said earlier, it’s like we’ve been pushed away, like many people don’t like us because

we’re ex-convicts. Experience being discriminate, being afraid, then looking at us like… Still a

criminal even after being released

(Siring pa man an iya kanina, bagan igintaboy, kun bagan damu an nadidire haam kay mga ex-

convict man kami. Nakaranas hin discriminate, kinahahadlokan, tapos pagkita ha imo bagan…

Tawag hito… Criminal la gihap bisan nakagawas na.)

II. Challenges Encountered by the Participants in the Society

According to Rolston and Artz (2014), ex-offenders can feel great fear because they think

that a lot has changed since the time of their imprisonment. They would have a hard time to

socialize and fear to socialize with ither people because they do not feel welcomed by the

society.
A. Family. Sometimes, the family of Ex-Convict itself cannot determine nor accept his or her

love ones that is from a prisoner. Their families think to themselves that their relative might still

act a crime in the society.

They look at us like, we will still do what we did wrong when we were imprisoned. That’s how

they look at us

(Bali an pagkita ha amon bubuhaton la gihap namon kun ano bam nabuhat nga sala an nagin

dahilan ba han am kapriso. Amo an pagkita nira ha amon.)

B. Community. The community itself discriminate their own countrymen due to the reason

that he or she is an Ex-Convict. This perspective might affect the actions of the released prisoner

resulting in low self-esteem and self-confidence. It may also cause depression respectively.

Yes, we’ve been discriminated because there are people think of us negatively, that we couldn’t

do anything good in the community since we are ex – convict

(Oo, nakaabat kami hin diskriminasyon Kay may mga tawo nga negatibo an pagkita haamon kay

mga ex – convict man kami sugad kuno hine waray namon mabubuhat nga maupay ha

kumunidad.)

C. Job and Employment. Finding a Job for an Ex-Convict is a challenge since most of the

companies are finding for a person who has clear records in his or her name. This was an uphill
battle for them therefore, some of them might lose of hoping to find a Job most especially the

employment opportunities within the society for released criminals is only limited and some of

them were also hesitant and skeptical to hire them due to their past.

Yes, it was a problem because of course they looked at us as if they could no longer trust us

because there was already a case. But there is also someone who trusts us that we have changed

after we were imprisoned

(Oo, nakaulang kay syempre ira pagkita ha amon baga diri na ba… Baga.. diri na matatapuran

gud kay may naman kaso. Pero mayda liwat nga natapud ba gihap na kami nagbago tikang ma

priso.)

III. How the Participants Addressed the Challenges they Encountered

Ex-Convicts tend to become more positive and to have long patient in waiting to accept

them by the society. Giving them chance is a way we can give for them in order to see how they

can socialize in the community subsequently. This is supported by Informant 2.

Aiming for Success with Patience.

Despite the negative attention given by the society, the Ex-Convicts have nothing to lose

in becoming part of the community. Their long and wide patience and perspective to wait when

is the right time and what he or she will think, are some of the ways in order to overcome. On the

other hand, keeping up being socialize and having communication with people around may

prevent you from being discriminated. This will keep oneself towards being accepted again by
the society and having success for betterment of life in the near future.

(The only thing that we are hopeful for is that, to be accepted that this is what our lives are. The

only thing that we can do is to show other people that we are capable in changing ourselves into

better individuals that even though we use to be a detainee we can still be a good person so, we

are eager to communicate and bond with other people so that they will not feel any fear towards

us and people will also engage with us).

Amon Nala ine gin karawat na amu na ine tam kinabuhi ngan hin amon ig papakita ha igkasi

tawo na mas magiging maupay pa kami tungud han kapriso namon, so uupayon namon an amon

pakikisama ngan hin pagdara ha mga tawo para kami dire kahadlokan ngan damu pa an

makisama haamon.

IV. Aspirations of the Participants

Just like an ordinary person, Ex-Convicts still have the rights to aspire what is best for

them outside the jail. Thinking some ideas will give an individual to act what is best for everyone

around the society. This is supported by Informant 3.

Keeping the Composure of being Accepted

Keeping oneself composed with positive thoughts and habits most especially to Ex-

Convicts may provide better perspective to live outside the detention facilities. Also, thinking to

become accepted will make oneself to reduced his or herself from mental problems and at the

same time, to reduced judgement and probably, may secure an employment for its family.
For that reason, their trust on us might be built again

(Bumalik unta an ira pagtapod haamon.)

V. What intervention programs can be proposed according to the study

Despite the government assistance to Ex-Convicts, some of them doesn’t really have this

kind of relief after they go outside the jail. Some of them may think to themselves “What will I

do now?” or rather to think going back with their family. These released criminals will going

back to zero and start their life over again. This is supported by Informant 5.

Concrete Platforms in Ex-Convicts shall be Recognized

The government who has the jurisdiction within a state shall have concrete platforms and

solutions to recognized the Ex-Convicts in the society. The government should provide

assistance to them in order for them to start their life with hope and another chance to live

outside the jails and prisoners without experiencing discrimination and mistreatment by the

society itself.

For me, I think there is no program that intends to help us ex-convict. However, in our case, we

are blessed that our barangay captain helps us especially in our financial needs for us to start a

new and better life

(Para haakon waray programa an gin tindug para bumulig hin mga sugad haamon na ex –

convict pero bumulig haamon an amon kapitan, gin buligan kami para makagtikang, gin

supurtahan kami niya pinansyal para han amon bago nga panginabuhi.)

CHAPTER V
 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presents the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendation to the

outcome of this study.

Summary of Findings

Based on the result provided by the participants in individual and Focus Group

Discussion (FGD), the responses given by them to the researcher are mostly similar. The positive

experience were more on giving the researcher facts that they are reintegrated to their families.

On the other hand, negative experiences of the participants were more on discrimination wherein

they cannot also find a job for oneself. They have rejected within their community because of

their past.

In regards to challenges that the participants experienced, most of them suffer from

mistreatment from their families and their own community due to the things that the participants

can still do the unthinkable and can make a crime again. Employment is also a problem that they

face outside the jail.

When it comes on how they addressed these challenges, the participants show hope and

patience in order to be accepted by their families and their own community. Whenever it takes

time, the participants are trying to encourage themselves to be positive at all times.

In regards to aspirations of the participants, all of them have one thing to wish and that is

become readily accepted by their people in community and their own family also.

Lastly, the participants said that there are no such specific programs that might help them after

they being released in the jail. The government itself has no actions to help them therefore, the

barangays and Local Government Units might give assistance to those Ex-Convicts who are in
need.

Conclusion

Based on the findings and analysis of the study, the following conclusion were made: The

positive and negative experiences felt by the participants are mostly within their family and the

community itself. The family of Ex-Convicts shall accept or reintegrate themselves in order to

keep its confidence and composure change his or her part in reality. On the other hand, the

society shall recognize their own constituents despite its past and background inside the jail. Just

like an ordinary person, these people have also the right to live with democracy.

Helping them with open hands can make them appreciated and accepted on its own. This

action may give them enough self-esteem to pursue and continue his or her journey within the

community and also, to develop their physical, social, emotional and mental growth.

Opportunities just like in job or an employment shall also given to the participants since

they have the right to work not only for themselves but also for their families. Giving them the

respect that they deserve can also give a huge impact to reintegrate in the society. We should

enact as one and choose humanity above all.

Addressing all of these issues faced by the participants is pivotal to success in

reintegrating with their families and the community. The government itself shall make actions

and assistance with Ex-Convicts in order for them to start their life again with a smile and

courage to face everyday challenges subsequently.

Recommendation

The findings of the researcher in this study led to recommend the following actions:
1. The Family is foundation institution of the society. They shall give their love and respect

to their relatives who are Ex-Convicts. On the other hand, being close and reintegrated

with their love ones may also give composure to live its life to the fullest despite its past.

Through this action, a Family may uphold a healthy and positive environment

respectively.

2. The Community as another institution to live with shall not give mistreatment and

discrimination to those people who are in need. The people within the society should

recognize the aspirations of their constituents like these people who are released in jail.

Just like any other individual, they also have the right to be treated equally and fairly

therefore, the community shall work and understand their situation in order for the Ex-

Convicts to reintegrate themselves respectively.

3. The Government itself has a huge role in reducing discrimination within the State. By

enacting laws, this will may prevent violence and deprivation of liberty to an individual

to act what is right and what is good for its family despite its background. Also, the

government shall also provide concrete actions in giving Ex-Convicts an assistance

towards in fulfilling their life outside the detention facilities.

4. The Local Government Units (LGUs) can address the specific needs of ex- convicts

through tailored and support system. This can include collaborating with community

organizations and employers to establish job placement services that connect ex- convicts

with suitable employment opportunities. LGU’s can also offer financial assistance,
 counseling services, and access to vocational training programs to enhance the

employment and skills of ex- convicts. By focusing on the reintegration of ex- convicts or

former PDL into society. LGUs can create a positive and supportive environment that

facilitates employment opportunities.

5. Lastly, for future studies and for future researcher, they should explore this kind of issue,

considering that this topic is crucial to Ex-Convicts who are experiencing these things in

specified areas. Having further inquiries and investigations pertaining to this issue can

give mitigation and action in understanding their situation in reality respectively.

PROPOSED ACTION PLAN FOR THE EX-CONVICTS REINTERGRATION TO THE

COMMUNITY

Key Informants Objectives Strategies Target Feedback Duration

Result Challenges Participants Mechanis
Area m
To change People in To ensure Conducting They have Provide an
the the that the symposiums ten (10) Drop Box Oct. 1 –
community community community and selected
for the Nov. 1
and society do not treat treatment seminars barangays in
treatment them well to about the feedback
towards to informants community municipality
the change treatment to of
Informants the Alangalang,
informants Leyte and
each
barangay has
only one (1)
informant for
the survey.
Not to It is hard To ensure Through the
reject them for them to that the job help of They have
in terms on apply a job owners vocational ten (10)
applying a accept an school who selected
job and informants will teach barangays in
provide the the
livelihood informants municipality
program skills and of
knowledge Alangalang,
Leyte and
each
barangay has
only one (1)
informant for
the survey.
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Appendix A. Communication Letter

Appendix B. Research Instrument
Interview Guide
ROAD TO REDEMPTION: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE EX-CONVICTS
TOWARDS REINTEGRATION

I. What are the experiences of the informants towards reintegration in the community?
(Ano ang mga naeksperyensiyahan han mga impormati ha pagbalik ha ira komunidad?)
a. Postive (Positibo)

1. After being released from the prison institution, what are the grateful experience you
have encountered?
(Pagka human mo pakagawas ha prisohan, ano an imo mga naeksperyensiyahan nga
imo gin papasalamat?)

2. How did that experience affects your life?

(Ha tipaunan-o ine na eksperyensiya naka-epekto ha imo kinabuhi?)

b. Negative (Negatibo)

1. What are your negative experiences in your community after your release?
(Ano an imo mga dire maupay nga mga eksperyensiya kahuman nimo makagawas ha
prisohan?)

2. How did these experience affects your life?

(Ha tipaunan- o nga paagi ini naka-apekto ha imo kinabuhi?)

II. What are the challenges encountered by the informants?

(Ano nga mga kakuri-an an eksperyensiyahan han mga impormanti?)

1. In dealing with your family, what are the challenges that you have faced after being released
to the community?
 (Ha pagtratar ha imo pamilya, ano nga mga kakuri-an an imo gin- atubang katapos ka
makagawas ha prisohan?)

2. What are the challenges that you have faced in dealing with other members of the
community?
(Ano nga mga kakuri-an an imo naeksperyensiyahan ha pakigkighimangraw ha iba nga
membro han komunidad?)

3. What are challenges have faced of your family after your released to the community?

(Ano nga mga kakuri-an an gin- atubang han imo pamilya ha komunidad han
nakagawas kana?)

4. Did you feel discriminated during your reintegration process in the community?
(Nakaabat ka ba hin diskriminasyon dida han imo pagbalik ha komunidad?)

5. As an ex-convict, does it hinders you to look for job?

(Sugad na dati ka nga priso, nakakaulang ba ito ha imo nga makabiling hin trabaho?)
III. How do the informants addressed the challenges encountered?
(Paunan- o gin- atubang han mga impormanti an mga kakurian na ira
naeksperyensiyahan?)

a. What action did you do to handle those challenges that you have encountered?
(Paunan- o gin- atubang han mga magbaraton an mga pagsari na ira ginkaatubang?)

IV. What are the aspirations of the informants?

(Ano- ano it mga hingyap hit mga impormanti?)

V. Based on the findings what intervention program may proposed?

(Base ha resulta, Ano it pwede ipanukala na programa na makabulig ira pagbag-o?)
Participant’s Signature
Date: ______________
Appendix C. Important Statements
Important statements on positive and negative experiences of the informants
towardsreintegration in the community.
“For me, the experience that I am grateful for, was how my family accepted me even though I
was released from prison.”
“What I learned inside the jail, I took it outside after my release.”
“I can get along well with people now.. then I know how to be humble.”

“according to what he said earlier,it sames like we were being repulsed, many people hate us
because we are ex-convicts.”
Actually I'm so ashamed because I've became a criminal. I'm ashamed even though it's just a self
defense because they attacked me first.

Important statements on the challenges encountered by the informants from their family,
community, and also the challenges encountered by their family in the community

“Yes, we feel discriminated from other people. they say, “ there will be no good things that we
will do in the community.”
“Yes, It hinders, because the people’s point of view that we can no longer be trusted because of
the crime we have committed. But there are still those who trust us that we have changed, from
being imprisoned.”
“My children were teased, because their father is a criminal.”

Important statements on how the informants addressed the challenges encountered?

“We just accepted that this is our life now, and we will show the community that we will be
better because of our imprisonment. So we will improved our relationship and behavior with
people, so that people will not be afraid to us and many people will deal with us.”

“After my arrest I accepted the fact that I've made a mistake. I've accepted what happened to me.
I accepted that I've been arrested because I've made a sin.”

Important Statement on the aspiration of the informants.

“My only wish is to have a good life out here and finish my studies.”
“I hope they also provide good service so that people can't say anything to them.”
“I'm still hoping that my in-laws will accept me again. Despite of the mistake i did ,i will show
them that I've change. I'm a better person now.”
Appendix D. formulation of Core Meaning

I.WHAT ARE THE EXPERIENCES OF THE INFORMANTS TOWARDS

REINTEGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY?
A. Positive Experience
Significant Statement Formulated Meanings

Para haakon, an ak experience na gin Being reintegrated in to their family was the
papasalamat la is kun paano ako gin tanggap positive experience of the ex- convicts,
hin buo la gihap han akon pamilya bisan tikang because their family accepted them whole
na ako ha prisohan heartedly after imprison.
.
(For me, the experience that I am grateful for
was how my family accepted me even though I
was released from prison.)

An nakadto paak ha sakob , kun ano nak It was a positive for ex-convicts because, what
nabaruan didto gindara ko dinhi ha gawas. they learned from prison, they apply it outside
form penal institution.
(what I learned inside the jail, I took it outside
after may release.)

B. Negative experience
Significant statement Formulated meanings

Siring pa man an iya kanina, bagan igintaboy, For the informants, they like being avoided by
kun bagan damu an nadidire haam kay mga ex- many people, because they are ex- covicts.
convict man kami.

(Like he said earlier, it's like we've been

repulsed away, like many people don't like us
because we're ex-convicts.)
Syempre maka arawod para ha akon kay It is shameful to the ex-convicts for being
nasugad ako heto nasiring hira na kriminal ako arrested. Because the people is badmouthing
syempre makarawod ha akon bsan depensa la him that he is a criminal.Despite the fact that
an akon para ha akon kalugaringon. Kay gin its just a self defense.
unahan man ako nira.

(Actually I'm so ashamed because I've became

a criminal. I'm ashamed even though it's just a
self defense because they attacked me first.)

II. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED BY THE INFORMANTS?

Significant statement Formulated meaning

Oo, naka abat kami, na discriminate gihap

kami, sugad kuno hini “ waray nam mabubuhat
na maupai ha komunidad.”

(Yes, we feel discriminated from other people.

they say, “there will be no good things that we
will do in the community.)

Oo, naka abat kami, na discriminate gihap It was a problem for the ex- convicts to look
kami, sugad kuno hini “ waray nam mabubuhat for a job because, according to people’s point
na maupai ha komunidad. of view, they are not trustworthy anymore. But
there are still people who believed in them that
(Yes, It hinders, because the people’s point of they’ve changed after being imprionsed.
view that we can no longer be trusted because
of the crime we have committed. But there are
still those who trust us that we have changed,
from being imprisoned)

Amo na adto, an akon mga anak gin tutukso it is painful for the ex- convicts that their
hira kay tungod it ira tatay kay criminal. children being teased, because their father is a
criminal.
(My children were teased, because their father
is a criminal.)

III. HOW DO THE INFORMANTS ADDRESSED THE CHALLENGES

ENCOUNTERED?
Significant statement Formulated meaning
Amon nala ini gin karawat na amo ini tam The ex- convicts just accept the fact that it is
kinabuhi yana ngan amon igpapakita haamon now their life and despite of the circumstances
igkasi tawo na mas magiging maupai pa kami they will show to the community that they are
tungod han pagk priso namon. So uupayon better now. They will create good behavior and
namon an amon pakikisama ngan pagdara ha relationship towards the people in the
mga tawo, para kami dri kahadlokan ngan community, so that people will deal with them.
damo pa it makisama haamon.

(We just accepted that this is our life now, and

we will show the community that we will be
better because of our imprisonment. So we will
improved our relationship and behavior with
people, so that people will not be afraid to us
and many people will deal with us.)

Tikang ngadan kadakop ko ginkarawat ko The ex-convicts accepted the fact that he got
syempre kay sayop ko man gihap ginkarawat arrested because it's the result of his bad action.
ko eton hiya kon ano man an na nabo haakon
ginkarawat ko na na priso ako kay sala ko.

(After my arrest I accepted the fact that I've

made a mistake. I've accepted what happened
to me. I accepted that I've been arrested
because I've made a sin.)

IV. WHAT ARE THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE INFORMANTS?

Significant statement Formulated meaning

It akon la magupay la dinhe ha gawas, The ex- convicts wish towards reintegration to
makatapos tak pagiskwela para ba waray maka the community, is for them to have a better life
istorbo ha akon. and to finish their studies.

(My only wish is to have a good life out here

and finish my studies.)

Opayon gihap nira et era serbisyo para waray The ex-convicts wants the authority to do their
gihap masiring et mga tawo ha ira. job properly so that the people wont judge
them.
(I hope they also provide good service so that
people can't say anything to them.)
Na makuan gihap ako nabalik an kuan haakon The ex-convicts wants to get back the trust of
han ak uganganigkukuan ko la gihp eton his inlaws. That he is now a good person and
igpapakita hera na dira na ak pareho han dati. that he have changed.

(I'm still hoping that my in-laws will accept me

again. Despite of the mistake I did, I will show
them that I've change. I'm a better person now.)

Appendix E. Documentation During Survey

This picture shows the individual interview in Brgy. San Antonio Poblacion Alangalang,
Leyte.
This picture shows the individual interview in Brgy. Holy Chil I Alangalang, Leyte
This picture shows the individual interview in Brgy. Blumentritt Alangalang, Leyte
This picture shows the individual interview in Brgy. San Roque Alangalang, Leyte
This picture shows the focused-group discussion in the said barangays in Alangalang,
Leyte.
(Brgy. Langit, Brgy. Mudboron, Brgy. Holy Child II, Brgy. Salvacion Poblacion, Brgy.
Bobonon, Brgy. Binongto-an)