Most scientific research involving prisoners now takes place outside the scope of federal regulations and often without the scrutiny of institutional review boards. Ethical considerations for research involving prisoners, a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, says more comprehensive safeguards and oversight measures are needed to ensure that such studies meet the highest ethical standards and aim to improve the well-being of prisoners.
Reporters can obtain a copy by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.