Nurse researchers in corrections: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Public Health
• Criminology

Background:

• The United States has the highest incarceration rate globally, with a significant portion of the prison population experiencing poor health due to socioeconomic disadvantages.
• Correctional facilities house large numbers of individuals, presenting a unique opportunity for health research.
• Nurses and researchers can play a crucial role in improving healthcare for this hard-to-reach population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nurse researchers conducting studies in correctional settings.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to conducting research within prisons and jails.
• To gather insights that can encourage more research in this area.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Telephone interviews conducted with 16 nurse researchers.
• Thematic analysis of participant experiences.

Main Results:

• Participants successfully established credibility within correctional settings.
• Key challenges encountered included access, security, and participant recruitment.
• Researchers reported significant personal and professional rewards, including contributing to an underserved population's health.

Conclusions:

• Successful research in correctional settings is feasible with strategic approaches.
• Addressing the health needs of incarcerated individuals requires dedicated research efforts.
• Further research is recommended to increase understanding and improve health outcomes for this population.