I have been in many prisons, and I recommend to people that if they get the chance, they should see one (even if it's closed, as in Alcatraz or the old Montana State Prison, though open is better). There is a lot told about a society by how they treat their offenders. Many people are also shocked to see that prisons no longer (usually) look like a scene out of The Shawshank Redemption, and prisoners live somewhat normal lives: they work, they go to school, they eat meals together, they participate in sports and recreation, and they visit with their families. A lot of people expect to see monsters, and when they see normal people, it changes their perspective. Let's be honest: there but for the grace of whatever go many of us.

I don't think your professor is offering you access to a serial killer, but yes, I would talk to one. I actually have exchanged letters with a number of serial killers, including members of the Manson "family," David Berkowitz, and Arthur Shawcross. I wouldn't have a problem sitting face to face with any of these people. Actually, I found most of my penpals to be rather nice, and no longer at all interested in crime (although, Arthur did tell me how to steal money from a payphone once). It would be naive to think that most killers would sit down and happily tell you all the gory details, and I think if anything, most people would be disappointed by how run-of-the-mill they appear to be, when you actually talk to them. The whole Hannibal Lecter situation would not happen outside of a movie. Honestly, I think it would even be naive to expect to obtain any kind of insight about them at all. People are complex. Behavior is complex. Even an offender who for some reason really wanted to help out a college student probably would be hard to "pick apart" in an hour or so--and most would NOT want to help with that. The last time I was officially touring a prison, rather than volunteering in one, an offender called out to us to "not feed the animals." They often feel like you're there treating them like animals in cages, or hoping to see a freak show, and they do not want to oblige.

If you do go into the prison, go in with the respect you pay anyone when you enter their home. Treat them like people.