FAQs

Q. My subject is in prison! What do I do?

A. Research planned on non-prison populations can be continued if a subject becomes incarcerated, if the following conditions are met:

The IRB is notified within 72 business hours of the investigator becoming aware that a subject is incarcerated. Notification by email, followed by a signed hard copy is acceptable. Data collection must cease; the investigator may request that data collection continue and provide justification that it is in the best interest of the prisoner for the research to continue. (This will primarily be confined to interventional research). If granted, then data collection may continue during the period while the amendment is processed. This request should be made to the IRB.

An amendment is filed that includes an additional consent form with the necessary language to reflect the altered conditions (see link). Board review of the amendment is a full board review with the specially constituted board. No data collection may occur until the full board has approved the project.

TIMELINE: Because prisoner research requires a prisoner advocate, a minimum of two months should be allowed for research review. Please contact UCAIHS when submitting a new or amended proposal so that the representative can be scheduled into a meeting as soon as possible.

The UCAIHS will notify the principal investigator of soonest review date possible.

For the full guidance on prisoner research visit Prisoner Guidance