Abstract

Released individuals face many challenges during reintegration, which prevent a smooth return to society. This study explored the lived experiences of released individuals and their families with their reintegration process in the community using a phenomenological qualitative approach. The study aims to benefit the community by providing insights into the challenges and coping mechanisms of released individuals, which could aid developing support programs the researchers had identified that released individuals characteristics had become positive and resilient after being liberated, opportunity to start a new life again, development themselves. and relief. This study used snowball sampling in selecting the participants of their study following the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Seven released individuals and family members were interviewed. The response gathered from the interview was transcribed and analyzed using cool and warm analysis. Results revealed that the struggles and challenges which the family members encountered include stigma from people around them and overcoming some obstacles of the family of released individual. Moreover, almost all of the participants become their best version of themselves, and their family members are grateful on the reintegration of the released individual. The results of becoming their best version of themselves where their personal growth, resilience, had a big impact to their families and also to their community. Released individuals experienced challenges from their families, employment, and society, making it difficult to sustain their daily needs. Finally, it is recommended that future researchers include adolescent participants to develop a deeper insight into their personal experiences related to having a family member who has been released from incarceration.

Full Article

DOI: 10.56901/edawa2025V5I2-17

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