Navigating the challenges of measuring prison climate

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

The prison climate, referring to the overall environment and culture within a prison, encompassing a wide range of factors that affect the daily experiences and behaviours of both incarcerated persons and staff, has long been an intriguing topic of academic interest. Recognising the critical need to better understand these environments, our roundtable seeks to explore the challenges and methodologies associated with measuring prison climate. It brings together a group of researchers who have conducted or are conducting studies on prison climate within five different jurisdictions.
The discussion will focus on the methodological challenges inherent in conducting prison climate research. Participants will explore the complexities of conducting studies within prison institutions, where access is often restricted and ethical considerations are paramount. The discussion will address the difficulties researchers face in obtaining reliable data amidst the unique dynamics and realities of prison environments, including establishing trust with inmates and staff and navigating the bureaucratic hurdles often accompanying such sensitive research. Additionally, the roundtable will consider the challenges of ensuring international comparability of prison climate studies, given the vast differences in prison systems, policies, and cultural contexts. This segment aims to foster a dialogue on typical methodologies and metrics and how they can or cannot accommodate these differences, facilitating meaningful cross-national comparisons. By confronting these challenges head-on, the roundtable intends to highlight innovative approaches and strategies that researchers can employ to overcome obstacles, enhance the quality and reliability of prison climate research, and contribute to the global understanding and improvement of correctional environments.
No formal papers will be presented; the discussion will be framed by a set of questions that the participants will attempt to answer. The roundtable will allow a deeper discussion on the methodological challenges described above among the roundtable discussants but hopefully include active participation from the broader audience.

Subtopic

• Topic 5: Social Control and Criminal Justice / Imprisonment, Prisons, Prison Life and Effects of Imprisonment (Prisons WG)

Chair

• Mojca M. Plesničar, Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law Ljubljana

Discussants

• Kirstin Drenkhahn, Freie Universität Berlin

• Milena Milićević, Institute for Criminological and Sociological Research

• Ivana Sekol, University of Sheffield

• Darja Tadic, Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law Ljubljana