PRISON RESEARCH - NATIONAL COMMISSION SAYS 'NO, UNLESS ...'

• NCJ Number: 41137
• Journal: Hastings Center Report Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 15-21
• Author(s): R BRANSON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Institute of Soc, Ethics and the Life Sciences
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER INCLUDES RESULTS OF A NATIONAL PRISON RESEARCH COMMISSION THAT DISAPPROVE OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON PRISONERS BASED ON ETHICAL GROUNDS.

Abstract

THE COMMISSION RAISED THE QUESTION OF WHETHER PRISONERS CAN TRULY MAKE VOLUNTARY DECISIONS ON SUBMITTING TO RESEARCH, OR WHETHER AN AGREEMENT TO SUBMIT TO THE RESEARCH REFLECTS A FEAR THAT NON-COOPERATION OR FAILURE TO VOLUNTEER WILL PROMPT REPRISALS. THE AUTHOR CITES EXAMPLES FROM THE CASE LAW THAT CHALLENGED THE VOLUNTARY ASPECT OF PRISONER RESEARCH. NO OTHER COUNTRY PERMITS SUCH RESEARCH ON PRISONERS. THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT NO PRISONER RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE UNLESS IT IS REVIEWED BY AT LEAST ONE HUMAN SUBJECTS REVIEW COMMITTEE, OR BY A REVIEW BOARD COMPRISED OF PEOPLE OF DIVERSE RACIAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS THAT INCLUDES PRISONERS OR PRISONER ADVOCATES AND OTHERS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESEARCH....BDS