Participatory research in prisons: A process evaluation of community engagement in a multi-site prison research initiative

• In Event: Issues and Challenges in the Carceral Environment

Abstract

Seeking and incorporating the participation of those being studied is essential to research that authentically understands the needs and goals of those directly impacted. The Prison Research and Innovation Initiative (PRII) aims to both engage incarcerated people, staff, state and local actors as partners in the research process and subsequently study the successes and challenges of this approach. PRII has undertaken a multi-year process evaluation aimed at exploring the conception and implementation of various participatory research practices. For example, how were incarcerated people and correctional staff engaged for developing climate survey questions and how did project operation shift in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? This study analyzes data from a document review and interviews of stakeholder groups across four different states, including correctional staff and leadership, incarcerated people, research partners, state and local advocates and legislators. The results from this study can be used to understand a participatory approach to research in prisons while also identifying strategies that can yield more credible findings and more impactful engagement with stakeholder partners.

Author

• Alice Galley, Urban Institute