Lessons Learned from Conducting Research with Prisoners Sentenced to Death and Their Families in India: Ethical Considerations and Methodological Challenges

Although ethical and methodological challenges of conducting research with vulnerable populations are widely acknowledged, there are fewer discussions on the unique difficulties encountered by researchers while working with prisoners sentenced to death and their families. This paper presents the reflective accounts of two researchers’ fieldwork experience, highlighting the ethical concerns and methodological challenges encountered while conducting an interdisciplinary research project on the mental health of prisoners sentenced to death and their families in India. Specifically, we discuss challenges faced during sampling of participants (prisoners and families), obtaining informed consent, confidentiality and right to anonymity, role confusion and conflict of interest, potential risks and benefits to research participants, and personal biases of researchers. We also provide suggestions for future researchers who wish to conduct research in this area and for policy makers to work toward minimizing the stigmatization and oppression faced by this community. Implications for research, clinical work, education, and training of mental health professionals are discussed.