Research and experimentation in prisons have traditionally been undertaken under the guise of deter mining the cause of criminal behavior and of develop ing approaches and programs that would assist the in mate to live more successfully in society. It is argued in this work that the prison system is inherently coercive; consequently, it is not possible for an inmate to freely consent to risky procedures to alter his/her behavior. Therefore, informed consent is a myth in the context of confinement in prison. Furthermore, research and ex perimentation that do not promote human liberation, independence, and freedom are oppressive, repressive, and destructive to human growth and the progress of society.
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References
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