Design considerations for a digital service to support prison leavers

Abstract

People leaving prison experience signifcant challenges upon release. Due to limited funding, only a small proportion of prison leavers receive specialist reintegration support to help them return to the community. Those who receive support have better outcomes across a range of domains and are less likely to be reincarcerated. This study sought to understand how digital services, such as smartphone-based applications, can provide a low-cost, scalable option to extend reintegration support to a broader cohort. To ascertain this, interviews and workshops were conducted with people with lived experience of prison, program staf from a leading community service organisation (CSO) that provides reintegration services, and policy and operational staf from an Australian state's Department of Justice (DOJ). It was found that digital services have the potential to help prison leavers fnd and access relevant services, coordinate their own support, and establish supportive peer networks. This paper outlines the critical design considerations that such a service should encompass, including that it must recognise the diverse needs of prison leavers and embed self-determination. CCS CONCEPTS• Human-centered computing → HCI theory, concepts and models; Interaction design theory, concepts and paradigms.

Smart prison technology and challenges: a systematic literature reviews

“…Networking [32] Wiring infrastructure [10], [33] Data/database Data sharing with public service institutions [10] Analytics/visualization Phone calls analytics [10] Video analytics [10], [21], [34]- [36] Alert/recommender prison authorities [10], [37], [38] Application/integration E-shopping [20], [33] Advanced IS [10], [21], [33] Healthcare system [10], [24] Smartphone-based applications [6], [23], [27] E-messaging [32] Digital self-service [6], [10], [21] Digital participation [28] Funds transfer [20], [33] Digital devices for rehabilitation [21], [38]- [40] AI-based personal assistant [10] Security and management Building management system (BMS) [32] Video surveillance system [21], [32], [36], [41] Table 4…”

“…High cost of smart technology [10], [20] Aging outdated facilities and non-compatibility of existing buildings with smart technologies [20] Lack of regulatory policy and local standards for smart technology [20], [28] Implementation and integration of the prison system into smart technology [6], [7], [20], [21], [23]- [26], [39], [40], [42], [43]…”

“…Ethical concerns [21], [36] Ignorance of beneficiary's requirements [6], [20] Controversy of smart technology [10], [26], [28], [45], [46] Changing behavior and preparing prisoners before release [6], [23], [24], [26], [36], [39], [42] Communication within prisoner and family [21], [23], [25]  ISSN: 2252-8938…”

“…Smart prison is a new prison concept that focuses on rehabilitation, education, and reintegration using digital services. The smart prison concept is a cost-effective and rehabilitative way to use cutting-edge Int J Artif Intell ISSN: 2252-8938  Smart prison technology and challenges: a systematic literature reviews (Ejo Imandeka) 1215 technology to reduce recidivism and support reintegration [5], [6]. The study of smart prisons is currently scattered.…”

Unlocking the Potential of Smart Security and Surveillance Technology in Prisons: A Brief Review

“…References Cost efficiency for smart technology [13,15] The compatibility of existing buildings with smart technologies [13] Regulatory policy and local standards for smart technology [13,26] Integration of the prison system into smart technology [2,13,16,19,[22][23][24][25][32][33][34][35]] Automated administration [15] Technology ethics [16,28] Changing the behavior of prisoners [12, 22-24, 28, 33-36] Technology acceptance for officer and prisoner [16,22,25] Cybersecurity threats [37] In the United States, Europe, and Australia, there is a burgeoning interest in modernizing prison environments through the integration of digital technology and tablet computers [38,39]. Discussions have revolved around the potential benefits of introducing digital self-service devices to empower prisoners with more control over their lives while incarcerated.…”