Development of nonformal education activities based on the four noble truths principle to enhance life skills for living together of male inmates in Chiangmai central prison
Abstract:
The purposes of this research were: 1) to analyze the case study of ways and means in alleviation and rehabilitation of the drug addicts from successful organizations, 2) to develop the non-formal education activity program to enhance in accordance with the Four Noble Truths Principle, 3) to study the results of the development of non-formal education activity program to enhance life skills for living together in society of the male inmates in the Chiangmai Central Prison, and 4) to study factors and conditions affecting the success in the activity program. This study applied mixed methods including qualitative and the semi-trial methodologies. Successful models were selected from the 3 drug rehabilitation organizations to analyze, synthesize and, consequently, develop the new activity program in accordance with the Four Noble Truths Principle. The newly developed program had been experimented with the male inmates, especially the drug-addict patients, recruited by random sampling through ticket drawing. A group of 28 volunteers participated in the activities during the course of 11 days (116 hours totally) and were evaluated with life skills tests. Volunteers were assigned to fill survey forms to assess their satisfaction to the activities and thus provide self-assessment. Behavior observation had been recorded. These research tools had been assessed and approved by technical experts and advisors to validate them before the trial (α=0.9133, p < 0.05). The major findings were as follows: 1) Results demonstrated that the 3 drug rehabilitation organizations were successful in applying these methods with drug addicts following the process of the Four Noble Truths Principle; a) Dukkha, the study of suffering condition that revealed the drug addiction in different ways; b) Samudaya, the origin of suffering caused by family-related and self problems; c) Nirodha, setting up goals and targets to reduce, detach and quit addiction; and d) Magga, the path leading to cessation of suffering. The Four Noble Truth Principle would ultimately prevent patients from renewed addiction by setting up records of individual profile of drug addicts, providing occupational training, sports playing, dharma and ethics cultivations and pledging oaths not to return to drug addiction. It was believed that the Noble Eight-fold Path (Magga), as the middle way, was effective in achieving the goal. 2) The development of activity program in accordance with the Four Noble Truths Principle to enhance the life skills utilized the models from the 3 organizations as the foundation to set up principles, purposes, activity plan and process of the study, aiming that the volunteers would gain knowledge and valuable experience, and would practice the important activities in accordance with Neo-Humanist process and the Four Noble Truths Principle. 3) The result showed significant (p<0.05) improvement of life skills in five fields, with high satisfaction of the male inmates in all activities. Self-assessment revealed that the majority of male inmates had practiced a variety of daily activities such as meditation, stresses alleviation through the low brain-wave technique. Behavior observation of the male inmates during group activities showed that there had been improved cooperation, unity and mutual assistance in making decisions to solve problems as a group. They were more socialized and could work together with pride, responsibility and relaxed emotions. 4) Key factors and conditions in applying the activities included program management, location and environment, committed budget, safety and convenient facilities. Encouragement and morale were also important for enabling the drug-addicts to change their behaviors, improve self-esteem for themselves, and life with family, and the society as a whole.