IN-CJ Discussion – Where are ICT and Criminal Justice Headed Post-Pandemic?
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What is the impact of ICT on the work of probation and prison services, and how have these been intensified by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic? In this discussion, Vivian Geiran of the newly established IN-CJ hub for ICT in Criminal Justice, looks ahead to the world after the Covid-19 Pandemic. Vivian is Joined by Matt Rowland, Pia Puolakka and Steven Van De Steene, who discuss ideas and experiences about how ICT in criminal justice practice is emerging and changing, and how we can make sense of these changes in terms of policy development, training, research, and professional practice. The conversation explored what the impact is of information and communications technology for criminal justice, and how it shapes the lived experience of people who come into contact with criminal justice restrictions, including how electronic monitoring is increasingly used to track offenders, how probation is managed through teleconferencing, how data monitoring and reporting tracks rehabilitative progress, as well as other developments in the e-Justice field.
This IN-CJ discussion examined how information and communication technologies (ICT) are reshaping prisons and probation in the wake of COVID-19, and what these changes mean for the future of correctional practice.
The pandemic acted as a powerful accelerator of digital adoption. While many justice systems were already experimenting with video conferencing, digital education, and telehealth, lockdowns forced rapid innovation. Contributors agreed that there is now “no going back” to pre-pandemic modes of operation.
Examples included Finland’s Smart Prison Project, where in-cell digital devices and AI-assisted management tools have changed how prisoners access services and maintain contact with family. In the US and Belgium, speakers described the expansion of telemedicine, remote supervision, and flexible working for staff. These developments offered opportunities for greater efficiency and accessibility but also raised concerns about blurred boundaries, staff burnout, and the risk of over-reliance on technology.
Ethical and contextual issues were central to the conversation. Technology must be a tool to support human decision-making, not a replacement. Participants noted that the same digital systems can enhance connection in one context but exacerbate isolation in another, depending on prison culture and management. Ensuring equity of access was also highlighted, with calls for training for both staff and service users, and for offering choices between digital and face-to-face interaction.
Looking forward, participants stressed the importance of policy and collaboration. Institutions like the Council of Europe were urged to update prison and probation rules to reflect the realities of digitalisation, and international cooperation was seen as essential to developing ethical frameworks and sharing good practice.
This discussion made clear that digital technologies will remain central to criminal justice after COVID-19. The challenge is ensuring they are applied in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and balanced, keeping human relationships at the core of correctional practice.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ Discussion – Where are ICT and Criminal Justice Headed Post-Pandemic.
