Addressing problems with innovative solutions in prison

• In Event: Policy Panel: Prison Culture and Climate: Modern Problems and Reforms

Abstract

Community-engaged research models, like community-based participatory research, are rooted in social justice and aim to flatten the power imbalance between researchers and communities by engaging with communities throughout the research process. Utilizing community-engaged approaches is one practice that can increase the accuracy of research, facilitate opportunities for the co-construction of knowledge, and create more equity across the research process. Research, for many disciplines, does not historically include participation from members of the community beyond being subjects in the research project. This exclusion leads to both translational and implementation challenges, but also increases the risk of harm to marginalized, under-represented, and historically oppressed communities. This presentation outlines a model developed to facilitate collaborative problem solving between staff and residents living and working in prison. Survey data on changes in culture and climate are presented as well as key components to model sustainability.

Authors

• Kelli Canada, University of Missouri

• Ashley Givens, University of Missouri

• Beth M. Huebner, Arizona State University

• Janet Garcia-Hallett, University of New Haven

• Dana Cafourek, Missouri Department of Corrections