Behind Bars for the First Time: A Phenomenological Study of Psychological and Social Vulnerabilities of First-Time Offenders in District Prison Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

First-time offenders are one of the most vulnerable groups in prisons because they are taken into prison for the first time to a highly restricted environment with unfamiliar prison culture, prison routines, and prison hierarchy, where they do not have a previous experience to rely on to help them adjust, so they are emotionally stressed and have difficulties in adjusting. The study was designed to investigate the social, psychological, and economic problems of first-time offenders, their relations with hardened or repeat offenders, problems faced in prison, and needs experienced during the first time in prison, and the important psychological stress factors of first-time imprisonment. The design used in this study is a qualitative research design, which is used to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of inmates. The data was gathered by conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 25 first-time offenders, who were selected through purposive sampling in District Prison Faisalabad. Thematic analysis was then used to uncover key themes and patterns emerging from the data around prison experiences and vulnerabilities. Overall, the study revealed that imprisonment is an emotionally and socially challenging experience for first-time offenders with feelings of fear, anxiety, loneliness, uncertainty, and isolation, particularly in the early stages. The participants expressed difficulty adapting to the rules of the prison, the poor living conditions, and living together, making them feel insecure and helpless.

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