Humanizing Correctional Care
A Social Welfare Approach to Coping and Well-being among Elderly Inmates
Keywords:
Elderly Inmates, Correctional Social Work, Coping Strategies, Psychosocial Well-Being, Humanizing Correctional CareAbstract
Purpose – This study examines how elderly inmates manage stress and maintain well-being within correctional environments, emphasizing the role of social welfare principles in promoting humane and inclusive care. It addresses the limited research on gerontological social work in prisons and highlights the need for adaptive coping strategies to support older inmates facing psychological distress and institutional isolation.
Design/methodology/approach – Employing a qualitative descriptive design, this study collected primary data through in-depth interviews and non-participant observations with five elderly inmates at Sleman Class IIB Correctional Institution, Yogyakarta. Data were analyzed using thematic coding to identify stressors, coping patterns, and institutional support mechanisms.
Findings – The findings reveal that overcrowding, limited access to counseling, and declining health contribute to heightened emotional stress among elderly inmates. Emotion-focused coping—especially positive reappraisal, prayer, and social support—emerged as dominant strategies, fostering psychological resilience despite institutional constraints.
Research limitations/implications – The study is limited by its small sample size and single-site focus, restricting generalizability. However, it provides valuable insight for developing correctional social work programs that integrate gerontological approaches and mental health support for aging inmates.
Originality/value – This paper contributes to social welfare scholarship by framing elderly inmates’ coping within a humanizing correctional care model. It advocates for policy reform and professional intervention grounded in dignity, inclusivity, and psychosocial rehabilitation for vulnerable incarcerated populations.
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