Bilibid lolos: A qualitative study on successful aging behind bars

The goals of the study are twofold: (1) to know the resources and constraints in aging of an elderly prisoner and (2) to discover the strategies elderly prisoners use that show selective optimization with compensation to attain successful aging. The study included 10 male prisoners between ages 60 years old and 85 years old that were perceived as someone who is aging successfully by their peers and staff members. They were selected through nomination within 50 elderly prisoners and 5 staff members who interact with them on a daily basis. The data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews that focuses on biological, psychological, social domains of functioning and selective optimization with compensation model. The results showed that the constraints elderly prisoners experience are physical decline, lack of communication with family and friends outside of prison and emotional stress while their resources for functioning well are basic needs provided to them, the program and activities of the prison, the support system, their personal learnings. Elderly prisoners also use different strategies that display selective optimization with compensation for readjusted goals which indicate the possibility of successful aging