Meneroka Pengalaman Cubaan Membunuh Diri dalam Kalangan Banduan Terhadap Perkhidmatan Kaunseling di Penjara Malaysia

Abstract

Abstrak: Fenomena cubaan bunuh diri dalam kalangan banduan merupakan isu kesihatan mental yang semakin membimbangkan di institusi penjara Malaysia. Meskipun perkhidmatan kaunseling disediakan, masih terdapat kekangan dalam memahami bagaimana banduan menilai dan mengalami proses kaunseling tersebut. Kajian terdahulu banyak dilakukan di negara barat dengan meneliti faktor yang mendorong cubaan bunuh diri dalam kalangan banduan. Namun, kajian mengenai pengalaman banduan yang cuba membunuh diri terhadap perkhidmatan kaunseling di penjara masih terhad, khususnya dalam konteks Malaysia. Sehubungan itu, kajian ini menggunakan metod kualitatif dengan reka bentuk fenomenologi deskriptif bagi meneroka pengalaman tersebut. Data dikumpul melalui temu bual secara mendalam dengan menggunakan persempelan bertujuan yang melibatkan 27 orang banduan yang pernah cuba membunuh diri, terdiri daripada 16 orang banduan lelaki dan 11 orang banduan wanita. Naratif temu bual kemudiannya dianalisis secara tematik menggunakan Atlas.ti 25 dalam mengenal pasti tema kajian. Hasil analisis telah mengenal pasti tiga tema iaitu (1) kepentingan perkhidmatan kaunseling, (2) perkhidmatan kaunseling yang terhad dan, (3) stigma banduan terhadap kaunselor. Hasil kajian ini memperlihatkan bahawa kaunseling berperanan penting dalam membantu banduan membina semula harapan, mengawal tekanan mental, dan mengurangkan kecenderungan bunuh diri. Namun demikian, perkhidmatan ini juga tidak lari daripada isu akses yang terhad dan stigma dalam kalangan banduan. Kajian ini juga menuntut keperluan memperkukuh peranan kaunselor di penjara melalui latihan khusus dalam intervensi krisis dan trauma. Dapatan ini juga diharapkan dapat menyumbang kepada penambahbaikan program dan modul pemulihan penjara yang lebih menyeluruh, mesra dan memberi kesan positif dalam kalangan banduan di penjara Malaysia.

Abstract: Suicide attempts among prisoners have become an increasingly concerning mental health issue within Malaysian correctional institutions. Although counselling services are available, limited attention has been given to understanding how prisoners perceive and experience these services. Previous studies have largely focused on the factors contributing to suicide attempts among prisoners, particularly in western contexts. However, research examining the experiences of prisoners who have attempted suicide in relation to counselling services remains limited, especially in Malaysia. Therefore, this study employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological design to explore these experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 27 prisoners who had previously attempted suicide, comprising 16 male and 11 female participants, selected through purposive sampling. Interview narratives were analysed thematically using Atlas.ti 25 to identify key themes. The analysis revealed three major themes: (1) the importance of counselling services, (2) limitations of counselling services, and (3) prisoners stigma toward counsellors. The findings indicate that counselling plays a significant role in helping prisoners rebuild hope, manage psychological distress, and reduce suicidal tendencies. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these services is constrained by limited accessibility and persistent stigma among prisoners. The study highlights the need to strengthen the role of prison counsellors through specialized training in crisis intervention and trauma informed care. These findings may contribute to the enhancement of prison rehabilitation programs and counselling services that are more comprehensive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of prisoners in Malaysia.