Welcome to the NJ Department of Corrections Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB).
Thank you for your interest in conducting research with the NJ Department of Corrections (DOC). As a law enforcement agency, we are committed to promoting research that informs correctional practitioners on policy and practice service delivery, provides a rigorous methodological approach and supports the utility of the operations and interests of the NJ DOC. The guidelines for conducting research with the department are included below. Please review the instructions, and if there are any questions, please contact the DRRB Administrator, Sabrina Haugebrook via email.
Finally, there are several links listed which will help your organization during the research process with the NJ DOC.
Background
The Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB) process follows the federal regulations of 45 CFR 46 which governs research involving human subjects. Our setup is based formally on these guidelines and the DRRB structure is similar to a university’s IRB policy and procedures. NJ Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 10A:1-10 and N.J.A.C. 10A:16-2.20 formally established the DRRB as the organizational unit within the DOC which handles the review and initial approval or disapproval of academic and governmental research with the NJ DOC. We ask that all interested parties review these links for review prior to submission of the 980-I form and supporting documentation. Under the guidelines of NJAC 10A, medical research including substance abuse and mental health are not permitted as forms of research on prisoners in the NJ DOC.
The DRRB welcomes universities, individuals or agencies who want to conduct research with the New Jersey Department of Corrections. If your organization or agency is interested in doing research with the NJ Department of Corrections, please submit a research proposal and the following forms below. The subsequent forms are required for the Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB) to evaluate the research your agency would like to conduct. The DRRB will confer and assess the proposal your organization submits. Please note: Respective University IRB forms must be submitted to the NJDOC as well.
The procedures for DRRB review of research protocols include the following steps. (Review the flowchart also)
- All requests for research should include the forms listed below along with a proposal of the planned research you/your organization intends to study.
- In order to approve the research proposal, the DRRB will determine if several requirements are met.
- The requirements include whether the risks to human subjects is minimized and reasonable.
- Informed consent for all human subjects must be documented.
- The research plan should make adequate provisions for monitoring the data to ensure the safety of all data subjects.
- Note: Please allow a minimum of 2 months for the review process and circulation to all channels.
The following flowchart details the DRRB proposal process.
The DRRB panel is comprised of research and correctional professionals. The panel was established to ensure that all academic research proposals are reviewed and if approved conducted within the constraints of organizational capacity, departmental, state and federal guidelines. The DRRB is composed of at least the following members:
- Chairperson appointed by the Commissioner from the Senior Executive Staff
- A co-chairperson appointed by the Commissioner upon recommendation by the DRRB Chairperson. The co-chairperson has an extensive knowledge of criminal justice research procedures and statistical concepts.
- A member from the NJ DOC Senior Executive staff who also has expertise, experience and knowledge of the subject area being researched.
- A member from the Medical services department.
- The Assistant Commissioner who oversees the division under which the research falls
- All Directors of the Division of Operations
- A member who is the Administrator(s) or designee(s) of the organizational unit housing the human subjects where the research will be conducted
- A member who is the staff person designated as the organizational unit liaison for the project
- A Corrections Ombudsman
If your organization has questions concerning the DRRB or human subject research procedures, please address correspondence to:
Dr. Kristen Zgoba, Co-chairperson
Departmental Research Review Board
NJ Department of Corrections
Research & Evaluation Unit
PO Box 863
Trenton, NJ 08625
Office: 609-777-4256
Fax: 609-633-2112
Email: kristen.zgoba@doc.state.nj.us
Moreover, all questions can also be referred to the DRRB administrator, Sabrina Haugebrook at sabrina.haugebrook@doc.state.nj.us.
NJ Department of Corrections Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB) Application (980-I form)
NJ DOC DRRB Researcher Checklist
Research extension request
If your protocol has been approved and you are requesting an extension or to add onto your proposal, please submit the following form along with your respective university or organization IRB extension approval.
NJ DOC Research Extension request form |
