DIGICOR Digital Transition Working Group

• We wanted to build that network of front-line staff, so crucial to prisoner rehabilitation. We wanted to bond them together with peers a working group of dedicated professionals, and to their di...

• We wanted to build that network of front-line staff, so crucial to prisoner rehabilitation. We wanted to bond them together with peers a working group of dedicated professionals, and to their different socio-cultural views on digital rehabilitation with the common purpose of crime free behaviour on release. • We wanted to provide an alternative training to the dominant ‘cyber-security’ narrative of digitalisation in prison, where prison staff are trained on technology used to survey and enforce, that is designed and operated by the tech-savvy of younger generations. Instead, the WGs/ interviews/ workshop/ case studies offered a ‘low-hanging fruit’ of digital training, easy to access, fun to participate in and built on exchange and empathy and motivated by connections with peers and by the mission of crime-free communities. • We wanted prisons/ staff trainers/ prison administrations to learn from each other’s experience so that known barriers to digital change did not keep happening in each new pilot implemented. These barriers include HOW technology is implemented, not just WHAT technology is used. • We aimed at the end of the project for our WG participants to know about and feel part of a bigger international move towards

Activity 1: Series of online, sequential Working Groups on digital transition in prison, to track the process of sustained and embedded digital change. To supplement this, we devised and implemented a series of interviews, and collated case studies on the four key areas of prison we know from DIGICOR need to be particularly supported. A2: A 1.5 day workshop in Lisbon on digital change in prison and digital reintegration. IPS hosted 26 external participants, extensive exchange between 9 jurisdictions and welcomed internationally renowned experts to give input online from telecoms industry, from NGOs and from communications and training specialists. A3: Consolidated learning from the first two activities into three peer reviewed factsheets, published in 8 languages, and case studies on Digital Change in Prison. We hosted a final event that showcased some of our participants’ case studies, and contextualised our work within new UNICRI international research into Digitalisation in Prison. A4: We had tight, focused project management that kept the quality high. We disseminated online and we continue to share project results, e.g. a video introduction to resource for the European Prison Training Academy.

Report on DIGICOR digital transition working groups in four key areas of prison (digital tools and socialisation in pre-trial detention; digital prisoner education; digital reintegration and staff training using digital tools AND on digital rehabilitation). A nascent, transnational DIGITWGs network, so that prisons exchange and connect and do not reinvent the wheel with each digital pilot. So that known challenges and hurdles can be overcome with the experience of a neighbouring prison. An in-person workshop, attended by 26 external participants from 9 countries, that participants evaluated highly both in terms of content and methodology. Three factsheets on digital change management in prison, jargon free and setting the tone for administrations and staff trainers alike. In 8 EU languages. A publication of Digital Change in Prison case studies covering our four key areas of prison. A final online event contextualising this project’s work within an international research study. An in-person workshop at an international ICPA technology in prisons conference. Continuing sharing and use of resources online and in our networks, Use of resources and methodologies in a CoVE project on prison staff development (PROMOTE)