Assessing the Gap Between Behavioral Progress and Job Competency Among Samar Parolees and Probationers in Rehabilitation Programs
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Abstract
While community-based correctional programs heavily utilize Therapeutic Communities (TCs) to drive ex-offender rehabilitation, their impact on practical job readiness remains under-researched. This mixed-methods study investigated how TCs shape both the psychological behavioral management and psychomotor-vocational learning skills of probationers and parolees located in Samar. Utilizing an explanatory sequential design, researchers gathered quantitative metrics from 160 respondents followed by seven in-depth qualitative interviews. Survey data demonstrated that while participants achieved highly satisfactory emotional control and behavioral accountability, their occupational proficiencies and practical training scores were notably deficient. Furthermore, statistical modeling revealed a negligible correlation between therapeutic progress and workforce preparedness. Qualitative insights exposed that absent credentials, societal stigma, and restricted labor markets severely hinder successful reentry, despite strong participant desires for legitimate employment and financial stability. Ultimately, these findings reveal a critical gap: TCs successfully facilitate inner psychological recovery but fail to equip individuals for economic independence. Addressing this deficiency requires a holistic intervention framework that purposefully merges therapeutic rehabilitation with industry-aligned technical training to ensure sustainable societal reintegration...
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