A Development Model of Quality of Life of Male Elderly Inmates in Nakhon Pathom Central Prison based on Bhavana 4

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the quality of life; 2) to study the development of quality of life according to Bhavana 4; and 3) to propose a model for developing the quality of life of male elderly inmates in Nakhon Pathom Central Prison according to Bhavana 4. It was the qualitative research by studying documents study, in-depth interviews with 20 key informants and focus group discussions with 10 people using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed for content and presented descriptively. The results found that 1) Nakhon Pathom Central Prison promoted the quality of life of male elderly inmates in 3 areas: in public health aspect, there was knowledge on how to take care of one's own health and health counseling. There was a physical health check, basic medical treatment and treatment as appropriate; in terms of livelihood aspect, appropriate welfare was provided according to the inmates’ context; for social value aspect, there were family bonding activities, a release preparation center; there was learning about religious practices and vocational training; 2) developing the quality of life of male elderly inmates in Nakhon Pathom Central Prison according to Bhavana 4 was an integrated activity with prison activities, such as  orientation for new inmates to learn the rules and regulations for living together, organizing exercise space, organizing Correctional Pansuk Activities, activities to promote morality including vocational training activities such as the project to promote careers in agriculture following in Father's footsteps, Khok Nong Na Project of kindness and hope, Patcharadham Project, and 3) a model for developing the quality of life of male elderly inmates in Nakhon Pathom Central Prison according to Bhavana 4. In Kayabhavana, there was an orientation to provide knowledge on self-care; Silabhavana aspect, there was encouragement to follow the regulations, volunteer activities; in the area of ​​Cittabhavana, there were Dhamma practice activities in the Patcharadham project, Buddhist way Prison Project, and studying the Sakkasasamadhi course; for Panyabhavana aspect, there was career promotion in the agricultural project following in Father's footsteps, Khok Nong Na Project of kindness and hope.