Sociologist Behind Bars. Prison as a Hostile Research Ground 
 Cover Image

Socjolog w kryminale: więzienie jako nieprzyjazny teren badań
Sociologist Behind Bars. Prison as a Hostile Research Ground

Author(s): Kamil Miszewski
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Instytut Filozofii i Socjologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: participant observation; “typical” research methods; social role; restricted research area; prison subculture; indirect socialization

Summary/Abstract: The author turns attention to research areas where researchers have limited access to such as prisons. Both the inmates as well as the wardens display equal reluctance to be studied. In principle, the article deals only with the methodological aspects of the problem – the applicability of various research methods in studying prisons. Though the author focuses particularly on the participant observation technique he has chosen, he discusses and evaluates other methods and makes his own recommendations. The author avoids detailed description of norms, stratifications or communication methods typical for the prison subculture or their current alterations. This last aspect is addressed through the comparison of research methods used before and after 1989.

  • Issue Year: 178/2005
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 65-92
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Polish