Snitch. Snake. Mole. Books.: Examining Responses to “Insider/ Outsider” Researchers in Corrections

Authors

TaLisa J. Carter, American University
Chelsea Thomson, National Association of Counties

Abstract

Qualitative researchers face unique challenges when conducting original data collection within facilities of confinement. These challenges are shaped by a range of factors including the study’s research design, researcher identity, and organizational climate of the facility. Although the barriers of data collection in corrections are known, literature providing context, nuance, and recommendations for overcoming these obstacles is sparse, especially for qualitative fieldwork. This work addresses this gap by examining responses of correctional employees to observational research. During data collection, correctional staff called the primary author “snitch,” “snake,” “mole,” and “Books.” This paper investigates these labels and offers suggestions on how future researchers can navigate their experiences.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Carter, TaLisa J. and Thomson, Chelsea (2022) "Snitch. Snake. Mole. Books.: Examining Responses to “Insider/ Outsider” Researchers in Corrections," Qualitative Criminology (QC): Vol. 11: No. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/qc/vol11/iss2/1