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Research Requests

Any individual researchers or research institutions seeking to conduct research must follow the steps for the Research Oversight Committee (ROC) process. The ROC process provides a standardized and comprehensive approach for approving research projects. The Office of Research facilitates the ROC process for the Department. The process provides a continuous application submission opportunity and applications are reviewed during quarterly scheduled meetings (see schedule below).

The following steps summarize the ROC application process:

Flow Chart of the ROC process. Each step is detailed in the guidelines.

Details regarding each step may be found in the Research Guidelines and FAQs. All applicants must submit a completed Application and supporting documentation. Please contact us if you prefer a MS Word Application. All communications between the applicant and CDCR should be directed to Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov.

The ROC process emphasizes a department-wide and open approach in determining which research projects will be approved by the CDCR, ensuring the research is both methodologically sound and beneficial to the department as it relates to the CDCR mission and its priorities.  For 2026, the ROC is only considering research applications that are complete, methodologically sound, and beneficial to the Department concerning the following topics:

  1. Program evaluation/effectiveness of programs
  2. Prison management and safety
  3. Multi-state studies
  4. Impact of prison policies, laws, and propositions

The scheduled ROC meeting dates for 2026 are as follows: 

  • March 26, 2026
  • June 18, 2026
  • September 17, 2026
  • December 17, 2026