Methodological and Logistical Challenges of Gardens Behind Bars

Planning, gaining approval, and executing a garden and related research within a correctional facility is no easy feat. In this chapter, we address methodological and logistical challenges of garden projects behind bars. This chapter discusses the methodological and logistical challenges of prison horticulture program research. The chapter relies heavily on the systematic analysis of expert interviews specifically collected for this volume in which facilitators of gardens behind bars share their experiences regarding barriers, challenges, and possibilities of garden projects in incarcerated settings. We distill common themes based on qualitative analysis of these data. There are limited publications that have provided guidance regarding the challenges and strategies for research in prisons (Fox, Zambrana, & Lane 2011; Innes & Everett, 2008; Wakai et al. Behavioral Sciences & The Law 27:743–752, 2009). This chapter adds to the existing literature by addressing these challenges. We refer to our own experiences as researchers in incarcerated settings when we also discuss methodological and logistical challenges of researching garden projects behind bars.