Factors affecting the adaptation of prisoners in Maha Sarakham Provincial Prison Factors affecting the adaptation of prisoners in Maha Sarakham Provincial Prison

Abstract

The problem of prisoner adjustment in prison is an important issue in terms of both human rights and prison management, such as the limitation of freedom, strict rules, relationships between prisoners, and the behavior of prison officers. This study aims to (1) examine the level of adaptation among prisoners in Mahasarakham Provincial Prison, (2) identify factors influencing prisoner adaptation, and (3) gather recommendations for improving prisoner adaptation. This quantitative research involves a sample group of 335 inmates from Mahasarakham Provincial Prison. The research instrument is a questionnaire, and statistical methods include frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings are as follows: (1) the overall adaptation level of prisoners in Mahasarakham Provincial Prison is high; (2) factors influencing adaptation include housing, hygiene, clothing, food, medical services, external communication, and religious practices. These seven variables can predict changes in the quality of medical services in the prison with 87% accuracy, significant at the 0.05 level; and (3) recommendations for adaptation include streamlining the distribution process for clothing and footwear, increasing personal item distribution for new inmates, providing larger food portions, emphasizing cleanliness, and diversifying the prison’s food offerings.