In my thesis I explored the experiences of the psychosocial status of women serving prison sentences at the Ig prison, the only facility for women in Slovenia. The research stems from the issue of total institutions, which deeply interfere with an individual's identity through rigid structures, overcrowding, and constant surveillance. A central focus is on the (re)traumatization of women who are incartcerated, and the "double mandate" conflict of social work, where the role of control often outweighs support. For the research I used a qualitative empirical approach. I conducted five semi-structured interviews with formerly incarcerated women. The collected data was analyzed using open and axial coding. The findings show that entering prison represents a radical shock, marked by degrading procedures such as forced stripping and the loss of civil identity. Motherhood proved to be one of the greatest source of distress, as separation from children and restricted contact leave lasting consequences on family bonds. Interpretations of the findings confirm the dominance of the medical model, where distress is often managed through the prescription of psychoactive medication instead of in-depth therapeutic support. Other incarcerated women and prison guards represent a vital source of informal solidarity and support. The research confirms the urgent need for a transition to trauma-informed care. Suggestions include humanizing intake procedures, strengthening the parental role without using contact as a disciplinary tool, and shifting from a medical to a conversational model of support. Social work has to focus on the strengths perspective and the ethics of participation, enabling users to regain sovereignty and successfully reintegrate into society.
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