Why do prisoners require additional protections in research?

Prisoners require additional protections in research primarily because they may be under coercion due to their incarceration. Incarceration can create a power imbalance between researchers and prisoner participants, where the individuals may feel pressured to participate in studies to gain favors or privileges from prison authorities, such as better treatment or early release. This pressure undermines the element of voluntary consent, making it crucial to ensure that their participation is truly voluntary and informed.

The ethical guidelines established in the Belmont Report recognize that individuals in such situations may not have the same capacity to make fully autonomous decisions as those who are not incarcerated. Therefore, additional safeguards must be put in place to protect the rights and welfare of prisoners, ensuring that their vulnerability is adequately addressed and that they are not exploited for research purposes.