Revolutionising Prisons: A look into past, present and future technologies

The use of technology in prisons has come a long way since the first electronic locking systems were introduced in the 1970s. Today technology is revolutionising the way prisons operate, with innovative solutions that promote safety, security and rehabilitation. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the past, present and future prison technologies.

The Past

In the past, prison technology was limited to basic security systems, such as electronic locks and CCTV. These systems were designed to prevent escapes and detect security breaches, but did little to promote rehabilitation or positive outcomes for prisoners.

However between the late 1980s and early 2000s, the use of technology in prisons began to evolve, with a greater emphasis on transforming the way administration functions within prisons operated. This was achieved through the introduction of Offender management systems, all of which have different names across the globe: PMSWeb / SIIMAMP (Romania), PR2 (Scotland), PRIS (Montengro), Offender Database Management System (ODMS, Barbados), The PRISM system (N. Ireland), and UYAP system (Turkey).

The Present

Today, technology is transforming the way prisons operate, with a wide range of innovative solutions that promote safety, security, and rehabilitation. Increase adoption in surveillance technologies including contraband detection, CCTV solutions and access control solutions including biometric technology used to access restricted areas and improve security and streamline operations including prisoner movement.

The impact of Covid-19 forced many prison services to move to an exceptional model of delivery which placed restrictions on regimes and accelerated the pace of technology adoption.  Prisoner communication solutions such as in-cell telephony, in-cell devices and e-health helped to maintain family connections and deliver healthcare services.  E-learning tools including apps, platforms and online libraries helped prisoners develop new skills and knowledge while isolated in their cells.

The Future

Looking ahead, the future of prison technology is bright, with many exciting new innovations on the horizon. For example, blockchain technology is being explored as a way to improve data management and reduce corruption while some establishments are investigating virtual reality to help prisoners prepare for re-entry into society.

In addition, there is growing interest in the use of artificial Intelligence and machine learning to improve prisoner classification, detect stress and predict unusual behaviour, allowing facilities to better tailor their regimes to individual needs and reduce recidivism.

The evolution of technology in prisons has led to safer and more effective operations, surpassing basic security systems of the past. With careful consideration to balance security, technology can be a powerful tool for creating safer more effective prisons that promote positive outcomes for both officers and prisoners.

At Lava, we are proud to be leading the way in developing innovative technology that makes a positive difference to the lives of those living and working in prisons.  Our commitment to excellence drives us to continually investigate and develop new solutions that aid rehabilitation and promote safer custody practices, whilst still retaining the highest level of security measures.  By working closely with our customers, we tailor our approach to meet their unique needs and strive to continuously improve and refine our solutions.

If you are interested in learning more about how technology is changing the face of prisons and how we can help your organisation, contact us today.