VUB study: digitalisation makes prisons more humane, but also creates new inequalities

Digitalisation can make life for prisoners more humane by giving them greater autonomy and making it easier to stay in touch with the outside world. But technology is no panacea. A study by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) shows that digital applications in prisons can also create new forms of social isolation and inequality. The researchers argue that digitalisation should always be accompanied by sufficient human support, clear rules and additional attention to vulnerable groups. The study was published in the international journal Punishment & Society.

At the heart of the research is PrisonCloud, a digital platform that allowed prisoners to access information from their cells, shop at the prison canteen, watch television, rent films and make telephone calls to family members, among other things. PrisonCloud was used in several Belgian prisons and illustrates how the prison system, too, is evolving alongside the growing digitalisation of society. It has since been replaced by JustFromCell, which operates according to the same principles and offers the same functions as PrisonCloud. The findings of the study are therefore also relevant to the new digital platforms being used in prisons.

"Digitalisation is inevitable, including behind prison walls," says criminology professor Kristel Beyens, of VUB's Crime & Society (CRiS) research group. "The question is not whether we should digitalise, but how we do it. Technology can improve everyday life in detention, but only when it is embedded in a policy that also takes account of human contact, support and equal opportunities."

More autonomy — and more isolation

The study shows that digital applications give prisoners greater independence. They are less reliant on prison officers to make telephone calls, look up information or make purchases. Contact with family and friends is also easier, which is important for maintaining social ties and for successful reintegration after release. However, this greater autonomy also has a downside.

"The modern prison cell is increasingly becoming a multifunctional living space," says Beyens. "Prisoners sleep, eat, make calls, relax and look for information in the same space. As a result, some leave their cells less often. Vulnerable prisoners in particular, who feel unsafe in communal areas, may therefore become socially isolated within the prison."

Digitalisation also creates new inequalities

The researchers also point out that not everyone benefits from digital services to the same extent. Digital skills, language proficiency and financial resources all play a role in determining whether someone can use the platform effectively.

"Digitalisation removes some barriers, but at the same time it can create new inequalities," says Beyens. "People who are less digitally skilled or who need additional support risk falling even further behind. This shows that technology is never a neutral solution."

The impact of digital systems also varies considerably depending on the context. The prison regime, the availability of staff and the support provided to people in detention all influence whether digitalisation leads to greater autonomy or, instead, greater exclusion.

The role of prison staff is also changing

Digitalisation affects not only prisoners but also the work of prison staff. As many practical matters are handled digitally, day-to-day contact between officers and prisoners decreases.

"This makes prisoners less dependent on staff for practical matters, which can be positive," says Beyens. "But fewer informal interactions also make it harder to pick up on signs of how someone is feeling. That has implications for trust, support and safety."

The researchers conclude that digitalisation can only contribute to more humane detention when technology goes hand in hand with sufficient human support. They say clear procedures, staff training and additional support for vulnerable groups are essential to prevent digital innovations from reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them.