The convict code as an explanation of behavior (Continued)
Wanting to experience the halfway house as it "really" was, Wieder attempted to:
- Avoid identification as a staff member, to observe what I could of the organization by being around it in as many places as I could , and to become friends with residents as as to spend time with them in order to see what it was that they were doing and saying. To assist in doing this, I wore casual clothes... while the staff wore coat and tie, and intended not to locate myself next to staff while in the presence of the residents.
To secure naturally of data collected and to get the residents' "own stories", Wieder often collect data from informants at a comfortable place e.g.. taking informants for a beer at bars