Research at HMPPS

Conducting Research in Prisons, Probation or HMPPS Headquarters


Important notices

NRC activity paused during March 2023

The NRC will be implementing a one month’s ‘pause’ on accepting new research applications in March 2023.

In practice this means that:

  • Applications received into the NRC mailbox during February will still be processed and reviewed as usual in March.
  • The NRC inbox will be closed to new applications during March.
  • The NRC inbox will open to new applications on 1 April. Any applications sent to NRC during March will be considered to have been sent on 1 April and processed accordingly.

This pause will apply to single and multi-site applications. We will consider business critical applications during this period on a case-by-case basis.

Introducing a cap on the number of multi-site applications reviewed per month

From May 2023 onwards the NRC will introduce a monthly cap on the number of multi-site applications considered to help manage the NRC workload and capacity of front-line operations. The cap will be set at 14 on a first-come-first- served basis with any surplus applications carried over into the following month. We will review this cap in July 2023.

NRC COVID-19 update

Following the decision for prisons to exit the National Framework, the NRC has updated its guidance for approving primary research within HMPPS. As such, the NRC is no longer working to the Medium-Term Plan.

However, it remains compulsory for applicants to submit an NRC Risk Assessment Form. This form must be completed by:

  • New applicants (and submitted alongside the full NRC application form and supporting documentation);
  • Researchers wanting to recommence research that was paused due to COVID-19;
  • Researchers wishing to submit amendments to current studies.

The form should outline the measures that will be used by researchers to adhere to local controls and in response to any local COVID-19 outbreaks.

This might include (but is not limited to):

  • Adherence to local measures as advocated by the prison, probation region or the applicants’ employer.
  • Handling of localised COVID-19 outbreaks which may affect the research.
  • Safety or hygiene considerations specific to the chosen research methodology. Mitigating actions should be detailed.
  • For remote methodology, the availability of technology for participants (whether in custody or the community) and the appropriateness of these methods to cover sensitive topics or collect information from vulnerable participants.
  • The demand placed on prisons or probation regions to facilitate these methods.

Researchers requesting to recommence studies paused during COVID-19 or to submit amendments, should detail any changes and risks in full.

This process and criteria will be kept under review.

NRC risk assessment form

All completed forms should be submitted to the NRC mailbox alongside the application form: National.Research@justice.gov.uk

Applications for secondary data analysis should be submitted following the usual NRC process.

General

All researchers wanting to conduct research with staff and/or offenders in prison establishments, the Probation Service regions or within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Headquarters are required to formally apply for research approval to the HMPPS National Research Committee (NRC).

The NRC exists to ensure:

  • the research applicant, Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and HMPPS attain best value from the research conducted
  • the resource implications and impact of the research on operational delivery is considered
  • the robustness and relevance of the research is adequately assessed
  • matters of data protection/security and research ethics are dealt with in a consistent manner

Areas of Research Interest

The Areas of Research Interest (ARI) document is part of MOJ’s ambition to put evidence at the heart of the justice system.

The ARI highlights key strategic areas where the department would like to see an increase in the evidence base.

Researchers should consider the ARI in their application, and, where possible, explain how the research will help address the department’s strategic evidence gaps.

How to submit an application

All applications must be made using the National Research Application form HMPPS research application template (286 KB) or, for projects also requiring approval from health and social care bodies, through the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS).

All applications should be sent to national.research@justice.gov.uk.

The application form must be accompanied by the researchers’ CVs, any ethical approvals, any questionnaires/interview schedules and consent forms/information sheets that have already been devised.

The NRC runs on a monthly cycle, applications should be submitted by the last working day of the month at 5pm; they will then be processed and reviewed during the following month. Feedback on applications will normally be sent by the end of the month after they were submitted: for example, applications received between 1 and 31 January will be processed and reviewed in February, with feedback sent to the applicant by the 28 February.

Student applications

All student applications below doctoral level need to be supported by an MOJ/HMPPS business lead in order to be considered. This business support needs to come from a senior member of staff, working in MOJ/HMPPS Headquarters who is willing to state that they believe the research is going to be of benefit to MOJ/HMPPS and will have minimal resource demands.

Due to the potential volume of student applications, the NRC is not able to assist with student applications below doctoral level that do not have this business support.

Guidance on applications

Guidance on the NRC process and application form, including information about ethical issues that should be considered, is available here: HMPPS Research applications instruction (MS Word Document, 149 KB)

Examples of good applications:

HMPPS research - Qualitative example (MS Word Document, 38.9 KB)

HMPPS research - Quantitative example (MS Word Document, 91 KB)

Tips for completing your application

Do:

  • read the guidance before completing the NRC application form HMPPS Research applications instruction (MS Word Document, 149 KB)
  • provide as much relevant information as possible for each section in the application form
  • be aware that the reviewer of your application may not be an expert in the topic, or method, of your research. Therefore, explain any specialist terms, techniques, specific policies or operational procedures where appropriate
  • use plain English when completing the application form and writing consent and data collection tools
  • check your completed application form for typos and grammatical errors
  • consult your peers/supervisors for their views and comments on your proposal prior to submitting the application form
  • attach supporting documents, e.g. participant information sheet, consent form, questionnaire/interview schedule, CVs, when submitting the application

Don’t:

  • use acronyms or jargon in your application and supporting documents
  • assume that NRC members are subject/methods specialists
  • assume that sections do not need to be completed; if a section does not seem relevant explain why, e.g. this is a literature review of publicly available information, data protection does not apply, as no personal information is collected
  • commence the research until receiving written NRC approval

NRC decisions

We will notify you in writing of the NRC decision. We will be selective in what research we approve due to the high volume of applications. We may ask that the research is also submitted to an appropriate local research ethics committee (for example, University, NHS or research body).

Successful applicants

If your application is successful, you will be required to prepare a research summary (approximately three pages, maximum of five pages) at the end of your project which:

  • summarises the research aims and approach
  • highlights the key findings
  • sets out the implications for HMPPS decision-makers

Provision of the research summary is essential to ensure that MOJ and HMPPS are notified of your research findings so that value of the research is maximised.

Unsuccessful applicants

If your application is unsuccessful, we will tell you the reasons why. You are allowed one resubmission. The reasons for the previous rejection should be fully addressed.

Amendments to your research

You must seek NRC approval for any amendments to the originally approved application, e.g. changes to the prison establishments included in your research, or changes to the number of interviews you intend to conduct.

Please contact national.research@justice.gov.uk with details of any amendments before you implement them.

Further information

Please refer to the guidance on the NRC process and application form HMPPS Research applications instruction (MS Word Document, 149 KB).

Or contact national.research@justice.gov.uk with any queries