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The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail
The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail
When I was working for Inview I was asked in 2017 if I wanted to do fieldwork in Jail. Inview told me they were obliged by the government to do the jail fieldwork project once in the existence of Inview. I wasn't obliged to work on the jail fieldwork as with any of their fieldwork projects. Inview promised me this jail fieldwork project would be different, because:
The briefing would be done on paper by the ministry of Justice
All fieldwork material would be sent to the jail locations upfront
And at the end of the fieldwork all fieldwork material had to be collected and taken with the fieldworkers
A 'justitiële VOG' (statement of good conduct) was necessary
I would be paid more than for other fieldwork projects with Inview
I should let the project sink before answering
A passport was necessaire
All instructions given by the staff of the jail should be followed for my safety
There would be instructions at the location
Be on time or the handing out of surveys would be cancelled for all the fieldworkers assigned to that jail at the agreed date
No jewelry, no parfum, no bag, no belt, wear clothes that don't make you stand out, etc.
I said Yes to the jail fieldwork project! All the fieldwork I did for Inview I did as a zzp'er (entrepreneur).
Why I Did The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail All Over The Netherlands
Why I Did The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail All Over The Netherlands
I said Yes to the jail fieldwork project and the VOG-procedure was started. Inview would only pay for the VOG if I got it, not if it was declined. Like with all my entrepreneur assignments the risk is with me. The cost were 33,85 euros. I got my VOG and was planned on the handing out surveys in the jail project. I was very scared to start the project, but did it anyway. Not because it paid more or because I am interested in jails or people in jail. Not at all! I only did this project, because in 2011 I was date raped in my own house in Utrecht. In 2017 living in my loft in Eindhoven I was still very angry about what happened. By doing this project I got rid of my anger and dared to go back to live in the area I love very much Utrecht. I am still being harassed by this person, but I can manage this by not being angry and thinking of my safety all the time. I don't have any contact with this person, but he tries to get in contact with me. I don't pick up the phone if I am called by an anonymous number and I still find it very scary to walk back home in the dark from public transport.
I Needed A VOG To Hand Out Surveys In Jail
I Needed A VOG To Hand Out Surveys In Jail
Not all fieldworkers were allowed to do the fieldwork project handing out surveys in jail. A 'justitiële VOG' (statement of good conduct) was necessary. In 2017, there were stricter requirements for a Certificate of Good Conduct (justitiële VOG) than today. The risk for asking for one is always with the person asking for it, because if it is rejected the job or assignment won't go through. With being an entrepreneur the costs are mine till I have a VOG to proof I am allowed to do the project, because then I can invoice the VOG to the client. All the fieldwork I did for Inview I did as a zzp'er (entrepreneur).
The Jails I Handed Out Surveys In
The Jails I Handed Out Surveys In
I didn't know before the project started that there were all kinds of jail all over The Netherlands. I knew that there was jail for women and men, but not that there were jails for the youth and for asylum seekers who have committed criminal offenses. I got to go to all the four kinds of jails I mentioned. During the whole project handing out surveys in jail I was the one handing out the surveys and never the one with the list of names.
Handing Out Surveys In Jail Was The Scariest Fieldwork Project I Did
Handing Out Surveys In Jail Was The Scariest Fieldwork Project I Did
On forehand this project seemed scary. It stayed scary through the whole project, but two incidents made it the scariest fieldwork project I ever did and will do. I got scared twice when handing out surveys in jail:
One time a prisoner told me he would come for me when he would go free on legal error. This was when the guard was telling another prisoner to keep his distance. Another fieldworker told me don't worry he won't get out of jail, he is sentenced for life
The other scary moment was when the alarm went off in prison, when handing out surveys. I was told on forehand to run after the guard. So I did and was on time in the same closed area as the guard and not in the part where the prisoners were. Everything was checked before I could go on handing out surveys.
Why I Would Never Do Such Fieldwork Again
Why I Would Never Do Such Fieldwork Again
The fieldwork project handing out surveys in jail has a risk for fieldworkers doing the job. I was aware of this all through the project. I didn't hand out surveys in the heavily guarded jails, but I was aware that most of the prisoners weren't there for just stealing bread or going through the red light.
What I Learned By Doing The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail
What I Learned By Doing The Fieldwork Project Handing Out Surveys In Jail
I was scared through the whole project handing out surveys in jail, but finished the project. I learned an even dearer lesson not to stay angry and let the anger made me do things which would bring me in the jails I visited for this project. I love my freedom and the anger won't change what happened to me.
*All the pictures are from my Databeet picture collection. The red light picture is not taken at a jail side. The life bite graffiti is a painting I made when doing a graffiti workshop in Rotterdam in 2013. All other pictures where taken by me at the National jail museum (Nationaal Gevangenismuseum) in Veenhuizen, Drenthe in 2024.
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