Modernising Prisons with Prisoner Self-Service (PSS) Technology

Multi-site project evaluating the impact of prisoner self-service kiosks on inmate behaviour, including in-prison disciplinary offences and post-release re-offending.

Self-service kiosks, installed in a number of mainly private prisons, are similar to those used every-day in open society. Digital self-service engages prisoners in taking responsibility for basic tasks in prison which are usually undertaken by prison officers. Kiosks speed up organising visits and managing money, requiring prisoners to register for their employment, apply for education/training, and access help to address health-related needs including alcohol and drug abuse issues.

After implementation of self-service kiosks, the number of disciplinary procedures, including for violence, significantly reduced. Also, the proportion of prisoners completing offending behaviour programmes increased. Importantly, reoffending by those released from prisons that had the technology was significantly lower compared to reoffending of those from matched prisons without the technology.