Prison Strategy White Paper Consultation Response

techUK held a roundtable with members to respond to the prison strategy consultation published by the Ministry of Justice in December 2021. 

With the investment agreed at the Spending Review and the commitment to increase modern prison places, focus on reforming individuals through improved rehabilitation programmes, there is a vital role for digital technology in building back better from the pandemic; from modernising existing Victorian prison estates to delivering the modern prison of the future.

Digital tools should be at heart of modernising the criminal justice system and should be viewed as integral in ensuring a better-connected justice system, end to end, with data at the centre.

techUK's response highlighted:

- Opportunities for the tech sector to support the build of next generation prisons. 

- The role and importance of data flow/ data sharing across partner agencies. 

- Opportunities to scale the use of digital, data and technology to support staff and empower prisoners. 

- ​​​​​How to deliver improved education services, training programs and access to qualifications. 

- The importance of equipping prison leavers with digital skills. 

- The need for tech sector representation on the innovation taskforce. 

You can download techUK's response here.