From Incarceration To Empowerment: The Role Of Sfbc In Enhancing Self-Esteem And Educational Rehabilitation Of Drug Offenders

Correctional-assisted citizens, especially those involved in drug-related offenses, often suffer from low self-esteem due to intersecting factors such as damaged family backgrounds, social stigma, addiction, and incarceration. These psychological vulnerabilities often impede their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of Solution Focused Brief Counseling (SFBC) in improving prisoners' self-esteem, specifically through a case study of an individual (Mas Firman) detained at Banyuwangi Correctional Facility. Using a qualitative case study approach supported by a literature review, this study applied the five-stage SFBC framework of relationship building, problem identification, goal setting, intervention, and evaluation and collected data through interviews, observation, and documentation triangulation. The results show that SFBC contributed significantly to the subject's behavioral and emotional transformation. Initially showing signs of introversion, distress, and hopelessness, the subject showed increased self-confidence, religious involvement, goal-oriented behavior, and social interaction after the counseling sessions. The findings suggest that self-esteem is a malleable psychological construct that can be improved through structured, culturally sensitive, and strength-based interventions. The transformation of the subjects was driven not only by counseling techniques but also by the integration of spiritual and family dimensions into the therapeutic process. This study makes several contributions to the literature. Theoretically, it contextualizes SFBC in corrections settings, enriching its applicability in non- traditional domains. Methodologically, it provides a comprehensive qualitative model for narrative-based inmate rehabilitation research. Practically, it presents SFBC as an adaptable tool for correctional counselors and educators to support psychological recovery. In addition, this research highlights the broader educational utility of SFBC in character development, life skills training, and mental health interventions, especially in inclusive and culturally grounded educational settings. Findings suggest that SFBC can be effectively integrated into correctional counseling systems and educational programs, especially in settings that prioritize individual strengths, cultural identity, and spiritual values. Future research is

encouraged to explore the application of SFBC using comparative case studies or mixed methods designs, and to examine the long-term sustainability of its psychological impact across different institutional contexts.

Keywords: cultural identity; narrative case study; psychological resilience; self- esteem; brief solution-focused counseling