Physical and emotional considerations in conducting research in prisons

Abstract

This article reflects the experiences of the authors as two prison teachers conducting research in the prison. It signals the pressures experienced in conducting qualitative research in a prison setting and explores the conditions within which the prison researcher functions, particularly if one already forms part of the prison regime. The article should serve as an eye-opener for those planning to carry out research in prison, notably to the novice prison researcher. The article discusses two types of encounters a researcher will meet in prison: physical challenges and emotional concerns. The reflection exemplifies the distinctiveness of doing research in prison.