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Research Requests

Guidance to those seeking to conduct research with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) / California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) is provided in two primary documents: Guidelines for Submitting CDCR Research Applications and the Research Application Form. All research application-related documentation should be submitted to Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov.

The Research Oversight Committee (ROC) process provides a standardized and comprehensive approach for selecting and overseeing all CDCR/CCHCS research projects. The Division of Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight ROC Administration Team (ROCAT) facilitates the ROC process. The ROC process emphasizes a diverse approach with all CDCR/CCHCS Divisions and Offices represented by voting cabinet-level executives. The process provides a continuous application submission opportunity for individual researchers and research institutions.

The ROC reviews research applications during monthly scheduled meetings (see schedule below). The Committee will approve, deny, conditionally approve, or continue each application by early decision following initial review. If an application is approved by the Committee, the applicant must provide to CDCR/CCHCS additional internal and external approval documents before the project can be initiated. If an application is conditionally approved, the applicant will be notified of the specific problem(s) with the application and the modification(s) that are required for final approval of the application. An application is continued if more work is required before the application can be considered by the committee for final decision.

Applications will be processed in the order that they are received. Applications received after the monthly cutoff date will be automatically forwarded to the next meeting agenda.

All interactions between the applicant and CDCR/CCHCS should be directed to Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov (mail to: Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov).

The following are the operative steps that are necessary to conduct research with CDCR/CCHCS:

  • Step One (Research Project Applicant):
    Read the Guidelines for Submitting CDCR Research Applications and How to Apply to Conduct Research with CDCR: Frequently-Asked-Questions
  • Step Two (Research Project Applicant):
    Complete and submit the Research Application Form. The Research Oversight Committee Administration Team (ROCAT) accepts research applications on a continuous basis.
  • Step Three (ROCAT):
    Notify research applicants of early ROC decision (full approval / denial / conditional approval / continue) within 15 business dates following ROC meeting for those applications received by the monthly submission cutoff date.
  • Step Four (Research Project Applicant):
    Complete and submit a revised Research Application Form, if original application submission received a conditional approval or continue.
  • Step Five (ROCAT):
    Notify research project applicants of final ROC decision.

Research Oversight Committee Administration Team (ROCAT) Review:
An initial detailed assessment of the research application is conducted by the ROCAT. If the research application is substantively complete, the proposed research appears to be sound, and the intent of the research shows merit, the application will be submitted for hearing by the ROC.

The scheduled ROC meeting dates for 2023 are as follows: 

  • 09/28/2023;
  • 10/26/2023;
  • 11/16/2023;
  • 12/28/2023;
  • 1/25/2024;
  • 2/29/2024;
  • 3/28/2024;
  • 4/25/2024;
  • 5/23/2024;
  • 6/27/2024

The ROC will initially approve, deny, conditionally approve, or continue all applications as written. If the application is conditionally approved or continued, a final decision on the application will be deferred to a subsequent ROC meeting and the applicant will be provided specific information permitting the application to move forward.