Pre-release rehabilitation programs for women incarcerated for drug-related offenses in Thailand.

Other

April 2021

Full Citation

Phoglad, S. (2020). Pre-release rehabilitation programs for women incarcerated for drug-related offenses in Thailand. Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences, 81(6-A), No-Specified. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=psyc16&NEWS=N&…

Abstract

This dissertation used quantitative research to explore the needs of women in prison, specifically those convicted of drug sentences and in pre-release rehabilitation programs. A second aim of this research was to develop gender-sensitive programming based on the findings, women's perspectives, and two theories that served as the theoretical framework: general strain theory (GST) and relational-cultural theory (RCT). Three hundred and eighty-six women prisoners from ten researcher-selected female prisons and women's correctional institutions in Thailand completed a survey instrument (questionnaire). The data were analyzed in reference to four research questions through descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, specifically MANOVAs. The findings indicated statistically significant relationships between age, mental health issues prior to incarceration, individual strain (faced harassment at workplace before incarceration, experienced the death of a close friend or relative before incarceration, and individuals in the community seek the woman's opinion about matters important to the community), and interpersonal relationship profiles [living with one biological parent during childhood (0-11 years old), living with one parent during childhood (12-18 years old), and seeing emotional, physical, or sexual violence as a child/adolescent]. Previous research and the theoretical frameworks (GST and RCT) provided support for and explanation of the findings. From an analysis of the results, three main themes emerged that together suggest areas for pre-release programs to address: individual empowerment needs, social support, and education and employment. Following a thorough discussion of the findings, the dissertation concludes with a focus on program implications in terms of practice, policy, and research, as well as recommendations for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)