Organisation of the Report
1.8 Originally, it was intended that the research design would consider HDC and the prison's Open Estate jointly as two different schemes under a similar aim - conditional liberty of prisoners. Early on in the work, however, it became apparent that HDC and the Open Estate, while indeed sharing certain aims and qualities, are fundamentally distinct operations which it would be impossible to join together in a single study. Detail and discussion of differences in their populations and patterns of use is presented in Chapter 3. The research design thus evolved separate approaches to studying HDC and the Open Estate, amounting nearly to two distinct sub-studies.
1.9 Chapter 2 describes the quantitative and qualitative approach taken to the study of HDC and the Open Estate. Following the overview of literature and use of both schemes in Chapter 3, Chapter 4 presents the analysis of HDC, and Chapter 5 presents the analysis of the Open Estate. Chapter 6 assesses cost effectiveness issues. Finally, the report concludes in Chapter 7 by highlighting overarching themes which may provide guidance in identifying areas for development in a broader review of the two schemes.
2. Methodology and Research Design
2.1 The research is designed to capture patterns of use of HDC and the Open Estate, and to explore quantitatively and qualitatively factors that affect successful participation in and safe operation of the two schemes.
2.2 The analysis focuses on the period when prisoners are subject to these constraints. This focus on practices and experiences during the period of conditional liberty seeks to identify factors that are relevant for supporting longer term desistance.
2.3 The research employs a mixed methods approach, and there are three main elements of the study: a statistical analysis of patterns of use and outcome for HDC and open prisons; qualitative research mainly involving interviews with key participants in these schemes; and an analysis of the costs and benefits respectively of HDC and open prison.
2.4 The relevant study period for statistical data collection for both HDC and open prison is from 2006 (Quarter 3, July-September) to 2010 (Quarter 1, January-March). This period covers the point from which HDC began to be used in Scotland. Open prisons have been in operation for much longer but the same period of data collection was used to assist comparison of the two schemes. Qualitative research focused on the contemporary experiences of interview participants.