Gaining Access to Interview Young Female Offenders within a Secure Establishment

Abstract

Carrying out a new research project is very exciting, and most researchers just want to get started straight away. Yet, there are a number of key methodological issues to consider before a project can begin. Perhaps the most important of these is how to gain access in order to carry out the research. This is not a matter to be taken lightly and involves a combination of hard work, persistence and strategic planning. This article explores the challenges a researcher can face in gaining access by looking at the process by which access was obtained to interview young female offenders within a secure establishment – a prison. In doing so, it highlights how interviewing young offenders reinforces the need to pay attention to power, access and research ethics undertaking research with vulnerable individuals in secure establishments.

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles