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Ethical issues in prison research: A risk/benefit analysis
Author(s) -
Overholser James C.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.2370050210
Subject(s) - confidentiality , prison , informed consent , risk analysis (engineering) , process (computing) , research ethics , risk assessment , actuarial science , psychology , computer security , computer science , business , medicine , criminology , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology , operating system
Ethical issues in research are especially important when working with confined populations such as prisoners. One method that has been proposed to assist the decision‐making process is the use of a risk/benefit model. The informed estimation of the probable risks and potential benefits of any given research project should be used to determine the ethical justifiability of conducting the research. The present article enumerates the variables relevant to a risk/benefit analysis when conducting research in a prison setting. Also, the risks of undue influence and the limits of confidentiality will be discussed. Finally, the appropriate use of informed consent will be discussed as a safeguard against these risks.