Journey of an Ex-convict From Conviction to Liberation

This is a qualitative study utilizing descriptive or hermeneutical phenomenology as research design where it described the lived experiences of  selected ex-convicts from the time they a reconvicted and incarcerated up to the time they are liberated. Phenomenological interviewing was used in data gathering to describe the meaning of the phenomenon (the individual ex-convict’s lived experiences)that each selected key informant shared. In-depth interviews were conducted to arrive at the three phase sof data collection needed in the study, namely; epoche or researcher’s self-examination that made him/her aware of personal bias about the phenomenon, phenomenological reduction where the researchers identified the essence of the phenomenon and structural synthesis where the search for deeper meanings and common essences of the phenomenon being studied is done. Results revealed that the feelings of being convicted, co-inmates’ treatment, challenges inside the penitentiary were some of the lived experiences each ex-convict encountered while convicted. The coping mechanisms an ex-convict observe provides him/her an opportunity to live more. Further, the social treatment, motivation to live, the presence of the Divine Intervention upon liberation made an ex-convict fully accept his/her life transformation for the better. With these challenges and lived experiences an ex-convict encountered, appropriate motivation coupled with proper coping mechanisms are highly needed for him/her to continue his life journey.

Keywords – hermeneutical phenomenology, lived experiences, epoche, phenomenological reduction, structural synthesis