DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
RESEARCH/INTERVIEWS/FILMING
POLICY OBJECTIVE
1.
To encourage scientific social (operational, medical and behavioural)
research/interviews/filming in corrections in a manner that respects the rights
of inmates, wards and staff and uphold ethical guidelines governing the
discipline.
PARAMETERS
2.
Research is the systematic, controlled, empirical investigation into a subject
in order to provide information.
Research includes testing hypotheses, surveys, and searching for and
analyzing secondary data.
UPON APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONAL SERVICE TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH/INTERVIEWS/FILMING THE FOLLOWING ARE
REQUIRED AND MUST BE SUBMITTED THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE:
PREREQUSITES FOR RESEARCH/INTERVIEWS/FILMING
Request letter
must be addressed to the Commissioner of Corrections.
A certified
letter must be sent from the institution to which you are attached (especially
for students)
Copies of you
Research Proposal/Project Proposal
Copies of your
Research Instruments eg. Questionnaire/Interview schedule
Copies of Consent
Form: A written informed consent shall be signed by all participants. This should clearly explain the research,
giving reason and stating the source.
The potential risks and tasks to be performed should be stated. State that participation is voluntary and
will not impact on their length sentence and finally they can withdraw at any
point without consequences. (A standardized is available at the Department) [click here].
Detailed
schedule
The number,
name(s), position(s) of all persons to accompany you inside
the institution must be submitted.
Contact:
mailing and email address and telephone number(s)
Completed
Visitor Application Form for each person [click here]
Specific to INTERVIEWS/FILMING
All questions
to be asked of all participants must be submitted to the Commissioner at least
thirty (30) days before the date of the actual interview.
The purpose
and intent of the interview/documentary must be clearly and comprehensively
set out in your request, this should also
state the persons , agencies, organizations etc. to which the
interview/documentary will be distributed or supplied.
Photographs of
inmates, wards and staff faces as well as voice recordings are restricted.
(Specific to MEDICAL RESEARCH)
The
Commissioner shall review all proposals which involve medical programs. Such proposal shall also be reviewed and
approved by Medical Coordinator/Chief Medical Officer/Psychiatrist and the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security and other relevant
bodies if necessary.
Programmes
must agree with the Ministry Of Health research guidelines. (www.moh.gov.jm)
An inmate may
volunteer to participate in a medical research
study only if he:
-
has been diagnosed
with the condition being studied
-
clearly understand the objective of the study
-
understand and accept the methods to be used.
-
is aware of the anticipated benefits and risks
-
has signed a consent form which describes the objectives of
the study and stipulates conditions.
3.
Each research proposal/questions shall be reviewed by the appropriate Research
Committee: Commissioner of Corrections; Deputy Commissioner of Custodial
Services; Psychiatrist/Chief Medical Officer; Director of Rehabilitation; Legal
Advisor; Representative of the Ministry of National Security; other relevant
personnel. If it were a high density research this process require 20 working
days.
PROPOSALS/QUESTIONS WILL BE SCREENED CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING
FACTORS:
Their
compatibility with the research priorities and objectives of the Department.
The observation
of research ethics including possible risks and harm to subjects.
required probe will
neither interrupt inmate’s treatment plan nor conflict with institutions’
regulations/operations
The quality of
the proposal: methodology, research instrument and schedule in comparison to
others
The benefits
this research will have to the department
The ability for
Reports to be submitted to the Department
AGREEMENT
WITH RESEARCHERS/INTERVIEWERS/FILM MAKERS
4.
Once a proposal has been approved, a written agreement between the Department
and the researchers shall be drawn up.
This proposal shall comply with governing legislations and shall include
and be acknowledged by Researchers to:
-
A. Respect the legislative and policy
provisions for the protection of the confidentiality of information
and the privacy of staff, offenders and ex-offenders. This shall include adherence to the appropriate legislation.
-
B. Abide by all rules and regulations
of the correctional service applicable to volunteers, visitors or staff.
-
C. A recognition that permission to
conduct research may be withdrawn at anytime for violations of the rules and
regulations or unapproved deviations from the original proposal, or may be
temporarily suspended for operational reasons.
-
D. an acknowledgement that, other than the
report submitted for publication, no further release of data collected shall be
made without the permission of the Department and/or the Ministry of National
Security.
-
E. a stipulation that all reports shall make
appropriate acknowledgement and include a statement of the disclaimer that
opinions and conclusions do not necessarily represent those of the Department
and/or the Ministry of National Security.
-
F. The Department of correctional services
reserves the right to request a report of findings especially where there are
relevant to reviews of correctional programmes.
5.
It is imperative that confirmation be received from the Department of
Correctional Services before your research is confirmed with your
institutions/organizations.
6.
Upon receiving permission, Superintendents shall inform Researchers of the
applicable rules and regulations of the correctional institutions. Which includes: No staff member/inmate shall
be offered privileges in exchange for their participation
UPON RECEIVING PERMISSION, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND THE
DEPARTMENT MUST BE
SIGNED.
**
The Department's Research Officer will also monitor research activities to
ensure compliance with the policy and will aid where necessary. The Research Officer will remain connected
to ensure the dissemination and application of research findings as appropriate.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND EXTERNAL
RESEARCHER(S)
I _______________________________ of
_________________________________ agree to:
- Respect all legislative and policy provisions for
the protection of the confidentiality of information and the privacy of
staff, inmates and wards.
- To abide by all applicable rules and
regulations of the Department of Correctional service (D.C.S.), including
those disguised to ensure my safety.
- To recognize and accept that permission to
conduct research may be withdrawn at anytime for violation of the said
rules and regulations or approved deviation from the original proposal or
may be suspended for operational reasons.
- That report will only be used
for said purpose and no further release of data collected shall be made
without the permission of the Commissioner o Corrections.
- That all reports shall include a statement and
disclaimer that opinion and conclusion do not necessarily represent those
of the Department.
- That all reports resulting from research
findings shall be reviewed by the Department prior to
publications/releases in order to ensure considerations established for
the contract have been met and the legislation has been respected.
- The Department of Correctional Services shall
receive a copy of the Research Report.
I understand and accept all above clauses:
Researcher/Interviewer/Film Maker
_______________________________________________
Date
______________________________
Instructor
of Programmes (lecturers)
________________________________________
Date
_________________________