Guidelines for Conducting Meaningful Research in Local Jails

This National Institute of Justice fact sheet explores why jail-research is needed and the specific elements that researches should address when proposing studies. These items detail key elements of successful strategies in proposing and conducting jail-based research. The author, Reena Chakraborty, Ph.D., has served as Chief of Strategic Planning and Analysis for the DC Department of Corrections since 2012. In her position, Dr. Charkraborty applies systems and process analysis to understand, improve, and transform real-world systems that serve the public. Dr. Chakraborty serves as a Practitioner in Residence at the National Institute of Justice and has fostered a renewed interest in jails-based research that will meaningfully impact practice.