Probation is a form of community-based correction; once the probationers are released from jail, they face paradoxical challenges to their personal and social life. This study investigated the paradoxical facets of being a probationer during their probation period. Through purposive sampling, the study identified 17 probationers from Ozamiz City who participated in an in-depth interview and focus group discussion using researcher-made guide questions. The responses were transcribed and analyzed using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenology. Four central themes emerged from joy and another three from sorrow, a namely new lease on life and freedom, friendship and camaraderie with coprobationers, love, and support of family, acceptance and understanding of community and co-workers. While for the sorrow, the themes of the stigma of being a probationer, traumatization of children/family, insecurity and anxiety. The findings asserted that the attachment to their families and other support system is most important in facing hard challenges. With this, the researcher encouraged the probationers through the supervision of the probation officers to strengthen the family ties and other support systems, which will contribute to the overall process of probationers' rehabilitation and reformation.

Keywords : Community-Based Correction, Phenomenology, Probation, Probationer, Support System.