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Digital transformation is gradually extending its reach into the criminal justice system. This development, and its implications for a humanely managed approach to criminal justice practices, is the focus of this episode of the “Just Psychology” series of podcasts, from the International Network on Criminal Justice. This episode featured a discussion between John Scott, the podcast’s chair, and two experienced psychologists: Pia Puolakka from Finland’s Prison and Probation Service, and Professor Joanna Clarke from the UK. Their conversation explored the use of digital tools in prisons and probation settings, examining both the benefits and challenges of this modern approach.
Pia Puolakka is a forensic psychologist and psychotherapist with the Finnish Prison and Probation Service since 2012. Her work includes managing Finland’s “smart prison” project, which integrates digital services into the daily lives of inmates. She leads a team focused on rehabilitative, digital, and security services.
Joanna Clarke has over three decades of experience in the UK’s prison system, focusing on the psychological wellbeing of prison staff and inmates. She began her career in the 1990s and has since moved from direct therapeutic work to academia and consultancy. Joanna founded Petros, a not-for-profit organisation that helps organisations create environments where people can thrive, particularly in high-stress sectors like criminal justice.
Pia Puolakka provided an overview of Finland’s approach to integrating digital tools within its prison system. Finland’s model emphasises the principle of normality, making prison conditions as like everyday life as possible. This includes offering digital services that inmates can use to access healthcare, educational resources, and social services. Such access aids rehabilitation and helps inmates maintain connections with the outside world, facilitating smoother reintegration after release.
One of Finland’s innovations is the implementation of “smart prisons.” These facilities provide each inmate with a personal cell device equipped with software for managing daily affairs and maintaining communication with external services. This supports the “import model,” bringing normal societal services into the prison environment, thus promoting equality and normality for inmates.
Jo Clarke highlighted the potential of digital tools in modernising rehabilitation efforts. She discussed the use of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in preparing inmates for life beyond prison. VR can simulate real-world scenarios, allowing prisoners to practice new skills in a controlled environment. This method helps inmates adjust their behaviour and reduces the anxiety associated with re-entering society.
Jo also noted the benefits of these technologies for staff. VR and AI can be used to train prison staff, providing them with realistic previews of challenging situations. This preparation enhances their resilience and overall wellbeing by equipping them with the skills needed to manage high-stress environments effectively.
Both speakers acknowledged the challenges of digitalising the criminal justice system. Pia pointed out the risk of reduced human interaction due to increased digital self-sufficiency among inmates. However, she suggested that this can be mitigated by using digital tools to complement, rather than replace, face-to-face interactions. This balanced approach ensures that the therapeutic relationship between staff and inmates remains intact.
Jo raised the issue of the psychological impact of digitalisation, stressing the need for careful implementation to avoid worsening mental health issues. She advocated for a trauma-informed approach, where digital tools support, rather than overwhelm, inmates. This approach includes providing digital literacy training, especially for older prisoners who may struggle with new technologies.
The discussion highlighted the importance of international collaboration in enhancing the use of digital tools in prisons. Pia and Jo’s insights revealed that while each country faces unique challenges, there are common solutions that can be adapted globally. By sharing best practices and continuously evaluating the impact of digitalisation, the criminal justice system can better support both inmates and staff.
In conclusion, integrating digital tools in prisons and probation settings represents a significant step forward in criminal justice reform. As Pia Puolakka and Jo Clarke highlighted, these innovations can transform rehabilitation processes and improve staff wellbeing. However, their successful implementation requires a balanced approach, ongoing evaluation, and international cooperation. Through thoughtful and informed application, digitalisation can play a crucial role in building a more effective and humane criminal justice system.
The Psychology of Digital Tools in a Correctional Setting
How do digital technologies shape the experience of imprisonment and rehabilitation? This was the focus of an IN-CJ Podcast discussion with Pia Puolakka (Forensic Psychologist, Finnish Prison and Probation Service) and Professor Joe Clarke (Director of Petros; former UK forensic psychologist), chaired by John Scott.
Puolakka described Finland’s “Smart Prison Project,” which provides in-cell digital devices across three prisons. The initiative is guided by the Nordic principle of normality: prisons should mirror life outside as far as possible, enabling people in custody to access healthcare, education, social services, and rehabilitative programmes digitally. She explained how this digitalisation supports individual sentence planning and wider rehabilitative goals, while also reducing barriers to reintegration.
The discussion explored practical applications of digital tools: telehealth consultations, online education, digital skills training, and even the use of virtual reality for anxiety management and aggression reduction. Puolakka also described pilot projects using AI in offender assessment and as a form of prison labour. She emphasised that digital access is not intended to replace relationships but to enhance opportunities, particularly where staff shortages or geographical barriers exist.
Clarke reflected on his career in the UK prison system, noting the psychological strain on staff working in high-stress environments. He raised concerns about how digitalisation might alter prisoner–staff relationships, potentially reducing opportunities for everyday interaction. At the same time, he highlighted the potential benefits for staff wellbeing if digital tools ease workloads and expand support networks. Both speakers stressed the importance of trauma-informed and resilience-based training to protect staff from burnout while maintaining compassionate practice.
The conversation turned to the future of technology in corrections. Virtual reality was identified as a promising tool for both prisoners and staff—allowing prisoners to practise skills safely and enabling staff to experience simulated prison environments as part of their training. Telehealth and digital access were also noted as powerful levellers, giving prisoners contact with services otherwise unavailable in custodial settings.
The session concluded with a reminder that digitalisation is still in its early stages in correctional systems. Its success will depend on balancing efficiency with humanity, ensuring that technology strengthens rather than replaces relationships, and embedding digital tools in trauma-informed, rehabilitative practice. As Puolakka and Clarke agreed, technology must remain a servant to rehabilitation, not a substitute for human connection.