METHODOLOGY
This research includes information gathered from interviews, observations, and prior research. The researchers were able to interview a total of 45 people; 11 female prisoners in group interviews and 7 female prisoners in individual interviews from one prison in Kathmandu, and one prison in Western Nepal, 4 Jailors from prisons in Western, Eastern, and Central Nepal, 2 prison Guards from one prison in Kathmandu, one Police Officer in Kathmandu, 4 former prisoners from urban and rural Nepal, 4 civilians now living in Kathmandu, 11 NGO founders and staff and 1 journalist.
When interviewing particularly vulnerable subjects such as prisoners and former prisoners, the researchers attempted to minimize any increased stress as a result of participating in the study by first getting help with editing, and approval from subject matter experts who have spent their careers working with these women. The researchers recognize the potentially emotional subject matter of sharing experiences while in prison, and at times made decisions to not ask each prepared question at each interview accordingly.
The researchers chose to also interview individuals who did not have a direct relationship to prisoners to provide insight into the general public’s perception of prisoners in Nepal. These interviews aided in our understanding of the multiple levels of social stigma that many prisoners face, even years after release. These interviewees were individuals whom we met in public spaces such as cafes. The researchers have kept the names of prisoners, jailors and guards, as well as their associated prisons in a separate document, and in many cases have decided to keep them confidential in order to avoid revealing any identifying information that would put the aforementioned parties or the researchers themselves at risk.
When entering prisons, we had two main sets of questions; one for the prisoners and the other for the prison staff. These were formulated with the help of the NGO’s experienced staff members and additionally, pre-approved by the Department of Prison Management. These interviews were conducted with both researchers present.
The unique opportunity to conduct joint research came with many advantages. For every interview conducted, the researchers would individually write down quotes, notes and key takeaways. Only after individually digesting and analyzing each interview, would the researchers consult one another. Similarities and differences in interpretations from each interview were discussed until both researchers reached mutual agreement. In this process, it was eye opening to recognize the differences in details each researcher paid attention to of things mentioned in an interview, or noted down of environmental observations from the different research locations. In this way, the researchers were uniquely enabled to constantly assess the influence of their own positionalities on their perceptions of the research findings at hand. The goal of this collaboration was to create a more balanced perspective, and to aid in remaining accurate and true to the interviewee’s word as possible.