Expectations regarding social reintegration in persons deprived of liberty in the pre-release phase

The aim of this study is to analyze the expectations, feelings and perceptions regarding social reintegration amongst inmates during the pre-release phase. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, using a focus group conducted with seven inmates from the Cúcuta Prison and Penitentiary Complex (in North Santander, Colombia), selected through intentional sampling. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed using thematic coding following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) approach. Six categories were identified: expectations and post-release life projects, socio-affective support networks, emotional responses to freedom, social perception and stigma, educational and labor opportunities, and the meaning of resocialization. Participants expressed expectations of change, family reunification, and employment, along with ambivalent emotions such as hope, anxiety, and fear of social rejection. The findings highlight the central role of family support, the perception of social stigma, and the identification of limitations in educational and labor opportunities after release.