Transformation Process and Counseling Strategies for Erudite Women in Prison

The counseling strategies for erudite women inmates is an area that needs to be explored for its lack of research evidence in counseling and women’s studies. This qualitative study aimed to propose a theory that explains the transformation experiences of erudite women inmates and to develop counseling strategies for erudite women in prison. Hence, it specifically aimed to accomplish three research goals: 1) the description of experiences of erudite women inmates; 2) the counseling strategies for erudite women in prison; and 3) the primer on counseling strategies.

Grounded Theory Method was utilized in this study for it looked into the process, or the interaction shaped by the experiences or views of the participants. Twenty educated women inmates all with bachelor degrees were purposely chosen to participate in this study. The experiences of women as bases for the development of the counseling strategies were analyzed through Corbin and Strauss’ (2008) paradigm as an analytic tool that generate concepts from data and identify relationships between context and process.

The findings of the study revealed that family was one of the factors that influenced their imprisonment but also became their strengthin their survival in prison and their motivation to continue life. The experiences of women inmates that led to their imprisonment, their experiences in prison and their aspirations for the future brought forth realizations that transform them towards family centeredness. Hence, this study claims that family is central to the existence of women inmates for despite its influence to imprisonment, it gives purpose in their survival in prison and it motivates them to hope for the future.