personal narrative interviews

We keep the interview tapes and transcripts in a locked, secure location. We will transcribe your interview and give it to you for your review. You tell us what changes to make to the transcript and we will edit the transcript as you direct. When you tell us that the transcript is accurate, we will ask you to donate the interview tapes and transcript to us, with the understanding that we will donate these materials to libraries. Examples of places that we may donate the interviews include the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History (CAH), the Human Rights Documentation Initiative (HRDI) at the University of Texas at Austin, local public libraries, and other non-commercial, educational institutions.

We will not release any interview to the public without your explicit written permission.

The length of the interview will depend on how much you have to say as well as your stamina (the interviews can be exhausting). Some interviews have taken a little less than an hour. Other people have talked to us for three hours or more. Usually everyone needs a break after an hour, although you can stop the interview at any time you want. If you have more to say than you can tell us at a single time, or if the interview becomes too difficult to continue on a particular day, with your permission we can come back and continue your interview later.

We prefer to interview you in your home, but if that’s not possible, we will find a safe and private place that is convenient and comfortable for you.

There is no set list of questions, because every experience is different, and because it’s your story. In general, those these are the kinds of things we would like to know about:

We will ask you to describe your relationship to the person murdered or executed, and how this person and these effects affected your life.

We will ask you to describe how you found out about the murder or murders, and to tell us about your experiences during the murder investigation, trial, appellate proceedings, the convicted person’s time on Death Row, and the execution.

We will ask you how these events affected you at the time, afterwards, and today. For instance, did your daily routines change, and how? We’ll ask you to tell us if your personal or family life was affected, and if your work life, social life, and religious or spiritual life were changed at all, and how.

We will ask you what you experienced that you want other people – now and in the future – to know about. If you could ask other people to see the world through your eyes, what would you want them to see? What have you experienced that you wish other people would understand?

Yes.

Yes, with your permission. The tape of the interview, the transcript of your interview, and any other information you give us will be opened to the public only with your permission and only at the time you designate. We will not give anything about you to the Center for American History, or anyone else, unless we have your approval.

That is fine. If you want to be interviewed, but want your personal story and information kept private for the present, you may donate the materials to us with a restriction. The restriction will say that the material may not be opened to the public until a certain date that you designate. For instance, you may want to say that you donate your interview and transcript to the Texas After Violence Project but do not wish the material to be opened to the public until January 1, 2027....or your Juneteenth of 2019....or Labor Day 2050.

Obviously, we think that your story is valuable and that people will benefit from hearing it sooner rather than later, but the decision of when to share it with the public is completely up to you.

No.

No.

The interview is not a speech and is not entertainment. The interview is more like a conversation, except that you will be doing most of the talking and the interviewer will say very little. The important thing is your story.

Your participation is entirely voluntary. You may end your interview at any time. Nothing will happen if you choose not to be interviewed or if you change your mind about being interviewed.

Remembering and talking about these events may cause you to feel sadness, heartbreak, anger, emotional stress, or a range of other emotions.

No. We are not counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers.

You have an important story to share. Some people appreciate being able to tell their stories to a person who listens carefully with empathy and without judgment. Some people may appreciate knowing that their stories can help others better understand the complicated effects of the death penalty on real people in Texas.

We hope that our interview process will help you feel validated and honored. We hope that in the way we listen to you, we can help you know that your life, your experiences, and your story matter.