This summer I am enrolled in an independent study (very small - one credit) and I am leaning towards studying prisons systems - where to start?

Stuff by Mumia Abu Jamal (in prison currently), Angela Davis, and Michelle Alexander.

Do sufficient reading to operationally define your research question. That is where you start.

Read Zuma’s long answer on this Q it is fantastic. You might like the whole thread.

Sharon Shalev’s Supermax gives good insight into modern penal methods especially the use of solitary confinement.

excellent everyone. thank you. @incendiary_dan a Davis/Shaylor piece on gender in California prisons inspired my independent study. @Dr_Lawrence the independent study is such that I am forming my research based on going from article to article, a freedom I plan to enjoy rather than having a particular research question. as time goes on, perhaps one will form. i hear where you are coming from (I am in an MA student currently), but for this one, it’s about raking through bibliographies and scouring the ‘Net for current news…seeing where it takes me. I am sure it’ll hone as time goes on.

I’ve talked to this socio prof at Pace that is putting a book together – it will be called In Defense of Flogging, interesting man, he is. You can also study public health in prison populations along the lines of not allowing trans people their meds or having women deliver in restraints, etc.