Tackling re-offending... how technology is being used
Offenders often come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have complex social needs. The key problems faced by offenders leaving prison, and most likely to contribute to re-offending, are homelessness, unemployment, financial problems and disrupted family life. ICT-enabled services could contribute significantly to resolving these problems; however, barriers such as internet access restrictions for security purposes, lack of access to up-to-date equipment, difficulty with engaging prisoners and interrupted learning, can prevent the potential benefits from being realised.
Background Briefing
Tackling reoffending is a priority for government. Offenders often come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have complex social needs – they are far more likely than the general public to have experienced unemployment and a disproportionate number have been through the care system as children. They are less likely to have adequate literacy and numeracy skills and are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems. Offenders are also more likely to be drug users: an average of 55 per cent of new prisoners test positive for Class A drugs.
There is a high level of operational churn in prisons, with approximately 80,000 offenders
being released each year against a current population of 83,399 (October 2008). At any one time around 190,000 offenders are subject to supervision by the Probation Service. The current reconviction rate for offenders leaving prison is approximately 67 per cent. The key problems faced by offenders leaving prison and most likely to contribute to reoffending are:• Homelessness: a third of offenders lose their accommodation
• Financial problems: one-fifth leave prison facing financial difficulties
• Disrupted family life: over 40 per cent of offenders lose contact with their families
• Unemployment: offenders frequently suffer from discrimination in the workforce.
The Current Picture
The Government has recognised that technology has a significant role to play in supporting offenders inside institutions, and in equipping ex-offenders with the skills and support necessary to reduce reoffending.
Click on the links below to view the documents available.
Offenders & Digital Technologies