March 2024
This report was written by Victoria Knight and Stuart Ross, Consultants at UNICRI, under the overall guidance and editing of Mana Yamamoto, Matthew Burnett-Stuart, and https://epea.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Schermafbeelding-2024-06-12-om-13.04.38.png Roberti.
Around the world, criminal justice systems are facing the challenge of rehabilitating prisoners effectively to reduce reoffending rates and create safer societies. Innovative digital technologies show promise in providing access to rehabilitation programmes and flexible, effective prison- based interventions. However, the integration of technology requires a balance between digital and in-person modalities and a commitment to human rights and ethical considerations.
Since April 2023, UNICRI has been working on a research project with the support of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) and the Government of Japan to investigate the potential benefits of digital technologies for prisoner rehabilitation. This aligns with UNICRI’s strategic priorities to promote the rule of law, safeguard access to justice, and leverage new and emerging technologies to address crime.
