Dispatches From Behind the Veil: Assessing Leisure, Legitimacy, and Resiliency in Prison Through a PAR Approach

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This presentation provides a report on three aspects of Delaware’s Participatory Action Research (PAR) project conducted as part of the Prison Research Innovation Network. The project teamed university-based researchers with incarcerated persons who were trained in survey methods to examine prison climate in a men’s prison in Delaware utilizing a PAR approach. The team has met regularly for four years and conducted three surveys of the people working and living in the prison. Surveys were constructed and results interpreted through a collaborative approach designed to provide the prison administration with workable innovations to improve the prison climate. The current presentations focus on leisure time, perceived legitimacy in the grievance process, and how participation in the PAR project led to skill sets and opportunities for members after release from prison.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 52. Prisoner Experiences with the Justice System

Individual Presentations

• The only thing consistent about this place is the inconsistency”: Idleness and Stress in Prison - Emalie Rell, University of Delaware; Daniel OConnell, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware; Christy Visher, University of Delaware; Darryl L. Chambers, University of Delaware

• Examining Differences in Correctional Officer Legitimacy Among Incarcerated Persons in Relationship to Grievance Process Legitimacy - Daniel OConnell, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware; Emalie Rell, University of Delaware; Christy Visher, University of Delaware; Darryl L. Chambers, University of Delaware

• Planting Seeds and Growing Success: Participation in prison based PAR Translates to Post Incarceration Success. - Darryl L. Chambers, University of Delaware; Maurice Backus, Center For Structural Equity; Ryan Briscoe, Center For Structural Equity; Lavocia Callahan, Center For Structural Equity; Sean Green, Center For Structural Equity

Chair

• Daniel OConnell, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware

Discussant

• David Pitts, Urban Institute

Organized by a Division or external group?

This presentation was organized by members of the Division on Corrections and Sentencing.