Prison Research and Innovation Network at Sterling Correctional Facility
The aim of this project is to assess the environment at Sterling Correctional Facility and how it is experienced by people confined there and working there. The project will introduce and test strategies to improve wellbeing for incarcerated people and for correctional staff.
Over the next year, our research team from the University of Denver will conduct a comprehensive study of the Sterling Correctional Facility. The purpose of this study is to understand what it is like to be incarcerated at SCF and to work there, and to find ways to improve the lives of incarcerated people and correctional staff.
This study will ask incarcerated people and staff to give their opinions through surveys, interviews and focus groups. We will also observe what happens in the prison and collect existing information about incidents, assaults and grievances.
We will create a report of our findings, which will be shared with the people at SCF, CDOC prison officials, and the community. We will discuss how this information can be used to improve the prison environment and help create a plan of action.