Research with Prisoners - SBE (ID 506)

A researcher's study uses a dataset of prisoner demographic characteristics. This dataset includes criminal history data that predates incarceration and includes data on disciplinary behavior while in prison. There is no interaction with prisoners. The researcher claims, and the IRB chair agrees, that the study is exempt from IRB review. This decision:

Is wrong because 46.104 states that research conducted in prisons is not exempt if the subject population is only prisoners.

A researcher is examining the quality of life for prisoners who are HIV-positive using surveys followed by interview. The IRB must ensure that:

Confidentiality of the prisoners' health status is maintained.

Which example of research with prisoners would be allowable under the regulations?

Examining age at first arrest as a predictor of adult criminal history.

A researcher is studying women recently admitted to a state prison. All potential subjects must have children under the age of five. Research subjects will be given a basket of toys to use at their children's first visit that the children can then take home. In assessing this proposal, the IRB needs to determine that the toys are:

Not an excessive incentive. Mothers who may have recently separated from their children may find the prospect of doing something special for their children more important than making a considered decision about becoming a research subject. Thus the toys may be an undue influence to participate. The issue of the toys being educational, of high quality, and age-appropriate are not the focus of the study. The IRB focus needs to be on any undue influence on the women.

A graduate student wants to examine the effect of print media versus televised media on individuals' position on several social issues. The superintendent of a local work release facility, a family friend, will allow the graduate student access to the prison population to help her quickly accrue subjects. The student's IRB should:

Not approve this project because the prisoners are merely a population of convenience for the student.

Which of the following statements about prison research is true?

Researchers may study the effects of privilege upgrades awarded by the prison.

One of your subjects is half way through a study of an investigational antidepressant that is injected weekly. The drug requires a taper-down regimen, that is, it should not be stopped abruptly. You learn that the subject will be admitted to prison next week prior to the next scheduled injection. What is the appropriate response for the researcher?

The researcher should contact prison authorities about the medical issue , and report the events to the IRB of record.

A sociologist wants to study a culture that occurs in some women's prisons: "state families," in which individual prisoners take on certain roles within a group of like-minded prisoners. There is previous evidence that younger prisoners will use older inmates who play the roles of grandparents as a resource before they will turn to staff for help and advice. The lieutenant in charge of a dorm of long-term prisoners offers to gather volunteers to speak to the researcher and also offers to vouch for the integrity of the researcher. The use of this staff is:

Wrong and is prohibited; subject selection needs to be free from intervention by prison authorities or prisoners.