While many researchers study offenders and offending, few actually journey into the correctional world to meet offenders face to face. This book offers researchers, practitioners, and students a step-by-step guide to effectively research correctional populations, providing field-tested advice for those studying youth and adults on probation, on parole, and in jails and prisons. The book addresses topics such as how to build rapport with offenders and those who monitor them; how to select from the many types of correctional data that can be collected; how to navigate the informed consent process and maintain research ethics; and how to manage the logistics of doing research. With personal stories, "what if" scenarios, case studies, and real-world tools like checklists and sample forms, the authors share methods of negotiating the complexities that researchers often face as they work with those behind bars.

List of Illustrations Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Gaining Access to and Building Rapport with Correctional Populations 3. Types of Correctional Data That Can Be Collected 4. Informed Consent Process and Research Ethics 5. Logistics of Doing Research with Correctional Populations Appendix A. Agency Letter of Support Appendix B. Weekly Contact Sheet for Staff with Client Caseloads in the Experimental (SOCP) Group Appendix C. Weekly Contact Code Sheet for Staff with Client Caseloads in the Experimental (SOCP) Group Appendix D. Publically Available Data Sources Appendix E. "Thinking for a Change" Facilitator Peer Rating Form Appendix F. General Informed Consent for Traditional Placements in the Florida Faith and Community-Based Delinquency Treatment Initiative (FCBDTI) Appendix G. Example of Re-Consent for Youths Participating in the Faith and Community-Based Delinquency Treatment Initiative (FCBDTI) Appendix H. Informed Consent Form for Youth Interview Appendix I. Example IRB Protocol Appendix J. Application for a Research Assistant Position References Recommended Further Reading Index