What is the lived experience of criminal gang members enrolled in an employment program to reduce gang-related homicides?

Abstract
St. Kitts and Nevis’s Government, in collaboration with the local police force, introduced an Alternative Lifestyle Pathway Program (ALPP). The program aims to help reduce gang-related homicides by specifically targeting known criminal gang members with legitimate employment. The ALPP is an incentive-based program newly introduced in St. Kitts and Nevis, and it is not known if such a program will help reduced gang-related homicide. The purpose of the research is to investigate the lived experiences of criminal gang members enrolled in the ALPP. It is important to understand the lived experience of the person enrolled in this program so that the administrator and stakeholders (Government, police, and civil society) can better appreciate its formation. The Government also needs to know the outcomes of such programs in the long-term. The research answers the research problem: What is the lived experience of criminal gang members enrolled in an employment program to reduce gang-related homicides? A phenomenological research design supported by a theoretical framework built on the Phenomenology Hermeneutic theory of interpretation will explore the problem. The data for this research is analyzed using the coding, categories, and themes; finally, the hermeneutic circle will be used to understand the interpretation of the data. The study indicated that incentive-based programs must be structured appropriately with other rehabilitative solutions when targeting criminal gang members to help reduce gang-related homicides. This research adds value to the positive social change agenda by giving the criminal justice system an academic alternative diversion program to help reduce gang-related homicides and save lives.