The Principle of Voluntary Participation of Prisoners in Scientific Research

Introduction/Research Problem: The responsibility of researchers is not only to discover new scientific truths, but also to do so in a manner that respects human rights and the integrity of research participants, with particular attention to vulnerable groups, where the possibility of abuse is greater. Research in a prison environment poses specific ethical and legal challenges due to the unique living conditions of prisoners and the distinct social dynamics within prisons, particularly concerning the principle of voluntary participation in scientific research. Objectives: The paper discusses voluntary participation as the most significant principle in scientific research involving people. It provides a concise overview of the decades-long debate on this significant issue, reflected in the continuous process of reform and enhancement of the ethical and legal regulation of this field. Methods: The investigation of problems in the application of the principle of voluntary participation of prisoners in scientific research was conducted through an analysis of the most significant universal, regional, and national ethical and normative documents. Results: Based on the analysis of relevant ethical and legal documents, the current framework for ensuring voluntary participation of prisoners in scientific research has been established. The genesis of the establishment of this framework was presented, along with possible directions for improving research standards, both ethical and normative, as well as adapting research practices to the conditions of the prison environment. Conclusion: Improving the ethical and normative framework for research in prisons is a continuous and dynamic process. Due to the ongoing need to analyse the living conditions and other circumstances in prisons, it is essential to improve research standards at various levels to ensure the validity of the resulting findings.