COMMUNICATION ADAPTATION OF FORMER PRISONERS OF CORRUPTION CASES (PHENOMENOLOGY STUDY OF COMMUNICATION ADAPTATION OF FORMER PRISONERS OF CORRUPTION CASES)

Abstract

Studies of corruptors have been widely conducted, but how do they after leaving prison and why corruption cases continue to increase, the process of re-adaptation in the community environment after being in prison is a phenomenon that can be studied through a communication approach by reviewing four points that need more attention: first, how do former prisoners define their world after being released from the correctional facility; second, how is the adaptation process of former prisoners; third, how the communication strategy that conducted after living in prison, fourth, how the changing of impression management of former prisoners after enjoying their freedom or return from prison.

This research used qualitative approach with phenomenology method. Basically phenomenology is a research tradition that is used to explore human experience. The main assumption of phenomenology is that humans actively interpret their experiences by giving meaning to their experience.

The results showed that the former prisoners defined their world after being released from the correctional facility, felt that they were not guilty, they trapped by the system and trapped by their colleagues, some of them also have reason because they were defending their subordinates. They adapted through closeness with their families and neighbors who are relatively unconcerned and tend to avoid interacting with old friends who are seen as having different directions. They accepted the negative self-definition (labeling) as an effort to improve themselves through a new role as a member of society and the desire to prove that in fact, they are innocent. They take on new roles in society and still have loyal followers so they don't feel anything wrong with the punishment they experienced. The impression management that is built to form a new image and try to make up for the mistakes of their past.

The suggestion of this research is that there is a synergistic effort for the prevention and deterrent effect on former corruptors and those who intend to corrupt through an education to the public on how to treat ex-corruptors, by providing a kind of social sanctions such as conducting social activities by the corruptors.