Oral History Interview Method: Use on Offender Populations

• NCJ Number: 113352
• Author(s): G W Knox
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

When inmates are interviewed using an oral history method, certain ethical dilemmas arise.

Abstract

This study explores the ethical problems for criminology of the oral history interview conducted with recording equipment by a sociologist or criminologist. It must be clear to the offender and the interviewer that their discussion is not an interrogation. Care must be taken to preserve the anonymity of the inmate. The interviewer should avoid reading about the offender's record before the interview in order to avoid prejudice. The interviewer must also obtain the inmate's informed consent for the interview. If a tape recorder is used, the interviewer must remember that the tape recording may be requested by law enforcement personnel at some later date. The study differentiates between the historian's use of the oral history interview and the criminologist's use of the technique. Recommendations are made for future use of this research tool by criminologists. 11 references. (Author abstract modified)