Phenomenologizing Prison Crowding Among Detained Young Adults in Legazpi City Jail Candice Marie B. Bea, Maria Isabelle M. Florin, Jade Maverick O. Gadil, Mary Catherine Faith K. Lana and *Salvacion Laguilles-Villafuerte https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4640-0555 Psychology Department, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Bicol University, Albay, Philippines * Corresponding author: lallyvillafuerte0705@gmail.com, slvillafuerte@bicol-u.edu.ph Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Psychology Department, Daraga, Albay, Philippines Abstract Over the years, reports of overcrowding, unsanitary circumstances, and inhumane treatment towards detainees have been increasing. In the Philippines, specific reports on poor inmate living conditions and violence are prominent. Moreover, the incarcerated are placed in life-altering circumstances when the prison cells are overcrowded, resulting in varied prison crowding experiences. This phenomenology study aims to understand how the detainees give meaning to their crowding experiences. Ten (10) male and female Filipino young adult (20–35 years old) detainees from the Legazpi City Jail were interviewed, excluding any participants under solitary confinement or isolation due to precautionary health measures. The participants' narratives were examined through within- and cross-case analysis, and four (4) themes: Kulong sa kapungawan (longing and yearning), Kulong sa kapanahunan (sentiments over a period of time), Kulong sa pag-asa (experiences that instill hope), and Kulong sa oportunidad (forced opportunities and routine-based life) were rendered via repertory gridding. These contextualized the prison crowding experiences of Filipino detainees specific to family and community concepts in a Bicolano culture. The findings of this research may contribute to intersectionality studies, especially in clinical, rehabilitation, and community psychology. The findings can also be substantial as a springboard for implementing culture-specific programs for the incarcerated. Keywords: Filipino detainees, prison experiences, prison facilities, prison overcrowding, young adult-detainees Introduction There are various factors contributing to the well-being of incarcerated individuals, including characteristics of the prison environment and prison climate, and individual vulnerabilities and circumstances (Van Ginneken et al., 2019). The mission of correctional facilities is focused on the effective safekeeping and rehabilitation of national prisoners (Bureau of Corrections, 2022). However, in each range of years, there has been an increase in reports of overcrowding, unsanitary, and inhumane treatment of detainees (Prison Overcrowding, 2021). Prison overcrowding is when the number of prisoners exceeds the prison capacity (Baggio et al., 2018), which leads to a myriad of problematic outcomes for the prisoners (Molleman & Van Ginneken, 2014). Research studies (e.g., Juan et al., 2019; Muirhead et al., 2020; Walker et al., 2013) have investigated the effects of prison crowding on detainees, and results show that jail congestion undoubtedly affects the physical and psychological well-being of inmates. Additionally, severe prison crowding may affect inmates’ behavior, according to Spencer (2012); it may cause inmates to become more violent.