Getting Past the Gate: Navigating Administrative Hurdles to Conduct Research with Lifers

• In Event: The Second Chances Study: A National Study of People Sentenced to JLWOP in the United States

Abstract

To conduct life course research with people serving long sentences, researchers must navigate numerous hurdles. These barriers begin with applications to the research board associated with state Departments of Correction (DOCs). This presentation will explain the process of navigating 30 DOC applications for a written survey of people originally sentenced to serving juvenile life without parole (JLWOP). We first cleared the study with our university IRB and then conducted research into 30 DOCs where > 5 people sentenced to JLWOP prior to recent reforms were housed. All applications required similar information but often presented in different formats and with various levels of detail. Our success rate for applications was 66%; and states took between two and nine months to conduct the reviews. The rationale for denials was often not provided. Lessons learned included: direct contact with research administrators, flexible consent, recruitment, and mail protocols to meet the needs of the state DOC boards and acting early with applications to account for lag times and staff turnover. Pitching the study as useful for state DOCs and minimizing staff burden are selling points for successful applications. This presentation will provide useful information for people seeking to conduct research in state prison systems.

Authors

• Laura S. Abrams, University of California, Los Angeles

• Daphne M. Brydon, University of Cincinnati

• Leah Ouellet, Northwestern University

• Reese Howard, University of California, Los Angeles