Optimism to Face the Future among the Convicts of Qanun Jinayah Executed with Caning Punishment

: Caning punishment is a form of punishment against perpetrators of violations of Islamic law. Caning punishment has implications for the psychological and social conditions of convicts which have an impact on low optimism. An attitude of optimism is one of the positive emotions associated with the future. This study aimed to find out future optimist among the qanun jinayah convicts who were subjected to caning punishment. This study used a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The sampling technique was purposive sampling with four respondents convicted of caning punishment. Data collection methods were interview and observation. The results found that three respondents showed optimism in facing the future but one did not because of not meeting an aspect of optimism – personalization - by assuming that the bad events that occurred to him were due to himself. The study also found that optimism to face the future among convicts of caning punishments was influenced by social support from parents, siblings and relatives.