| Abstract [eng] |
Researchers from a variety of disciplines are studying male prisoners' experience of the meaning of life, both in prison and after release. Research suggests that prisoners make meaning of themselves in their faith, in their community or in their relationship with others. However, there is almost no research on the change in the meaning of life for male prisoners before and during their imprisonment. The aim of this paper is therefore to uncover the subjective aspects of the experience of meaning in life for male prisoners. To achieve this aim, a literature review and a qualitative study were conducted. The change in the meaning of life of men serving a prison sentence was analysed not only by reviewing the research of Lithuanian and foreign scientists, but also by delving into the basics of logotherapy. Semi-structured biographical narrative interviews were collected from eight informants. All of the participants are serving their prison sentences in Vilnius Prison (hereafter referred to as 'the Prison'), but four of the subjects are serving their sentences in the Prison's Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (hereafter referred to as 'the PRC'), the other three are serving their sentences in the Prison's Closed Penitentiary, and one is serving his sentence in the the Prison's Open Penitentiary. Seven categories of meaning emerged from the analysis of the interviews. The first group of categories revealed childhood experiences and their impact on the lack of meaning in life. The second group of categories highlighted the influence of the social environment on the absence of a sense of meaning in life. The third group of categories reflected the influence of the social environment of the prison on the absence of meaning in life. The fifth group of categories reflected the absence of meaning in life before entering prison. The sixth group of categories highlighted the fractures in life experienced in prison. The seventh category reflected the experience of the meaning of life in prison. The eighth category revealed the life aspirations after leaving prison. The analysis leads to the conclusion that the convicted men's childhood and adolescent experiences, such as emotional neglect, violence and parental alcoholism, had a direct impact on the lack of meaning in life. The prison environment, characterised by a lack of personal space and a predominantly enforced presence among other inmates, contributed to the inmates' existential isolation and loss of meaning while in prison Alcohol and psychoactive substance use and the lack of close relationships exacerbated the lack of meaning, sometimes leading to suicidal ideation. The experience of inner suffering led inmates to experience turning points in their lives, which influenced their search for the meaning of life. Those serving a prison sentence found the meaning of life through faith, religious communities and relationships with others. Factors in the social environment, such as interaction with volunteers and staff, helped inmates to rebuild their self-confidence and form an identity. |
