Conducting research in corrections: challenges and solutions

Abstract

Research in correctional settings has progressed from the exploitation of a vulnerable population in the years prior to 1978 to its current overly protective and restrictive state. With the considerable growth in the numbers of inmates with medical and mental health care needs, developing effective interventions to serve this population is paramount. There now appear to be signs of interest in and support for research with inmates by correctional agencies, academia, and health care organizations. Innes (2003) has articulated the following strategies for implementing research in prison: (1) gather stakeholders; (2) include one or more experienced research collaborators; (3) consider obtaining technical assistance from a university or the National Institute of Corrections (NIC); (4) define potential opportunities/interests that support the institution's mission; (5) develop a relationship with an IRB; (6) pilot a small proposal that is of interest and potential value to the organization. The authors illustrate the implementation of a study in a correctional system that uses these strategies.

Addressing Methodological Issues in Correctional Health Research

“…Evidence-based suggestions to facilitate the research process include developing collaborative relationships (Apa et al, 2012), piloting a small proposal (Wakai, Shelton, Trestman, & Kesten, 2009), fostering communication with key contacts and correctional officers (COs; Maeve, 1998), acquiring knowledge of the specific prison system (Byrne, 2005), and establishing credibility (Ferszt & Hickey, 2013). Disseminating this knowledge is helpful for nurses who are interested in pursuing research in this distinctive environment especially given that there are few nurse researchers in this specialized field (Ferszt & Hickey, 2013).…”

Managing pain in prison: staff perspectives

“…Prisons are notoriously challenging places to undertake research for reasons related to security, culture and researcher vulnerability (Drake, 1998;Liebling, 1999;Wakai et al, 2009). The focus group methodology employed in this study relies on participants engaging in open and frank discussion that opens up practice for scrutiny.…”

Hoping Against Hope: The Prison-to-Community Transition Experience of Men With Co-Occurring Severe Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder

“…In terms of vulnerability, some authors speculate that while there have been previous abuses of prisoners in research, perhaps the pendulum has swung too far, and there is a debate as to whether prisoner subjects are now overprotected and ethical guidelines too restrictive (Wakai et al, 2009). The use of a risk-benefit framework for conducting research with prisoners, which suggests that it is ethically permissible to conduct research when the benefits to prisoners outweigh the risks, has been proposed (Mobley, Henry, & Plemmons, 2008;Roberts & Roberts, 1999).…”

“…The US data is in stark contrast to other industrialised countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and Japan, which all have prison populations of less than 85 prisoners per 100,000 of their adult population (Walmsley, 2009). The phenomenon in the United States of a total of seven million people incarcerated or under supervision in the community (Wakai, Shelton, Trestman, & Kesten, 2009) has been described as "mass incarceration" (Travis & Visher, 2005) and is causing widespread attention and concern by community members and policy makers (Greenberg et al, 2011).…”

“…A number of authors discuss the environment of prison where every aspect of the prisoner's life is controlled and regulated, with little or no opportunity to act with independence or autonomy (Mobley et al, 2008;Wakai et al, 2009). This may result in a marked vulnerability to be exploited by researchers and others as prisoners strive to have their needs met (Mobley et al, 2008).…”