The Importance of Technology Access for Incarcerated Individuals
Introduction
Being incarcerated is a challenging experience that often isolates individuals from the advancements and opportunities of the outside world. In this modern age of rapidly evolving technology, the lack of access to these tools creates a significant disadvantage for prisoners, hindering their ability to reintegrate into society upon release. This article explores the significance of technology access in prisons and argues for the implementation of secure systems that enable incarcerated individuals to prepare for life after prison.
The Technological Gap: From Flip Phones to Tablets
Over the past few decades, technology has advanced at an astonishing rate, shaping the world in profound ways. From the emergence of smartphones and electric vehicles to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, society has seen significant changes. However, for incarcerated individuals, these advancements have largely remained out of reach.
For those in federal prisons, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has been slow to adapt to technological advancements, limited by their resistance to change and hypersensitivity to public perception. While the general public has embraced smartphones and other cutting-edge devices, prisoners were left with outdated methods of communication and information consumption.
It was only recently, with the introduction of tablets by the BOP, that incarcerated individuals gained limited access to modern technology. However, even then, the features provided are far behind what is available to the general public. The implementation of video messaging and real-time video chat systems, which are already in use in some state prisons, has yet to reach all federal penitentiaries. The technological disparity between prisoners and the outside world continues to widen.
The Impact of Technological Isolation
The lack of technology access in prisons has far-reaching consequences, affecting both incarcerated individuals and society as a whole. By isolating prisoners from the digital realm, they are unprepared to navigate and understand the technological advancements that have occurred during their incarceration.
1. Limited Information Sources:
- Prisoners primarily rely on broadcast news as their primary source of information, exposing them to potentially biased or one-sided perspectives.
- The absence of the ability to fact-check and investigate further perpetuates the spread of fake news and misinformation.
2. Risk of Radicalization:
- Exposure to a single news source without the ability to access alternative perspectives increases the risk of individuals becoming radicalized.
- Inmates who lack diverse information channels may fall prey to political propaganda and emotional manipulation disguised as facts.
3. Limited Educational Opportunities:
- Access to technology plays a crucial role in providing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.
- Distance learning programs, which have transitioned to online-only formats, are generally inaccessible to inmates without technology access.
- Statistics show that completing education, from a GED to a graduate degree, significantly reduces the likelihood of recidivism.
The Need for Change: Enhancing Preparation for Reentry
In order to provide incarcerated individuals with a fair chance to reintegrate into society, it is imperative to address the limited technology access within prisons. The Bureau of Prisons can take concrete steps to improve the preparation of inmates for their eventual release:
- Secure Portals for Online Classes:
- Introduction of Secure Wi-Fi Systems:
- Real-Time Video Visitation:
- Supervised Internet Access during the Last Months of Sentence:
The BOP should develop and implement secure online learning platforms that allow prisoners to access educational resources, including college courses. This will help inmates acquire valuable skills and qualifications, increasing their chances of finding stable employment upon release.
By establishing secure Wi-Fi networks within prison facilities, incarcerated individuals can access approved websites and resources under strict monitoring. This controlled access to the internet enables prisoners to stay connected with educational materials and relevant news updates.
Expanding the capabilities of the tablet devices to include real-time video visitation will enable prisoners to communicate with their loved ones more effectively. This feature not only strengthens social bonds but also helps individuals maintain support networks, which are vital for successful reentry into society.
During the final months of their sentence, prisoners can be granted supervised and limited internet access. This closely monitored period will allow them to familiarize themselves with online platforms, conduct research, and further develop their technology skills before reentering society.
Expanding Opportunities and Encouraging Reintegration
While the challenges surrounding technology access and preparation for life after prison are evident, many individuals manage to overcome these obstacles and find success. One such individual, who has spent an extensive period behind bars, reflects on the importance of education and support networks in achieving a positive outcome.
By providing incarcerated individuals with responsible access to technology, they can gain the necessary tools to investigate and challenge the noise of the digital world. This empowers them to develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions when faced with misinformation and false narratives.
Moreover, expanding technology access enables prisoners to enhance their chances of finding employment, reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Education, particularly obtaining a degree, significantly decreases the probability of returning to prison. By equipping incarcerated individuals with the means to acquire knowledge and skills, society can reap numerous benefits, from reducing crime rates to increasing productivity.
It is crucial for the Bureau of Prisons to recognize the potential positive impact of technology access in facilitating the successful reintegration of individuals into society. By embracing secure systems and providing opportunities for education and connection, we can bridge the technological gap and ensure a fair chance for all to thrive.
In conclusion, the lack of technology access in prisons hinders incarcerated individuals’ ability to navigate the fast-paced world they will reenter. To address this issue, the Bureau of Prisons should implement secure portals for online classes, introduce secure Wi-Fi systems, and provide real-time video visitation capabilities. These measures will enhance the preparation for reentry and empower prisoners with the necessary tools and skills to succeed in the digital age. By bridging the technological gap, we can ultimately create a more inclusive and just society for all.
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I have been in federal prison for 17 years. During that time, I watched as flip phones became iPhones, electric vehicles became ubiquitous, and AI began to take over the world, though not quite. terminator I imagined it (still). Still, I’ve largely been unable to use that technology myself. I could only read about it in magazines and newspapers, watching the 21st century unfold using 17th century methods. I didn’t physically own a smart device until the US Federal Bureau of Prisons started selling tablets last year.
This is not so surprising. The Bureau of Prisons is resistant to change and sensitive to criticism. In 2008, he finally replaced outdated monitors in maximum-security prisons with new TVs, but officials limited them to black-and-white picture mode so they could tell the public they hadn’t given prisoners the luxury of color. A combination of the BOP’s hypersensitivity to public perception and pressure from Congress to keep inmates in a no-frills setting it has resulted in prisoners being years, if not decades, behind the rest of society.
There are many other reasons why technology is hard to come by here. Federal prisons house sex offenders, black hat hackers, and others whose access to the Internet and the public must be strictly monitored and controlled. Unfortunately, rather than pay for technological systems that offer crucial, if limited, access to incarcerated individuals, the default strategy of the BOP is generally complete abstinence for all.
Federal prisoners, unlike those in state prisons, can be incarcerated anywhere in the United States. I am currently in Florida, literally as far away from my family in the Pacific Northwest as possible while still being in the contiguous United States. Staying in touch with friends and family is hard. The BOP introduced the aforementioned tablets to help prisoners stay close to their loved ones. But as video messaging rolls out to lower security levels, inmates at my penitentiary haven’t seen any of these features yet, and when we do have access, we’ll only be able to send and receive recorded messages, a far cry from what it was. real-time video chat systems in use in some state prisons.
It’s hard to disconnect from loved ones and the outside world like this. But isolating prisoners from technology is more disadvantageous to them and to society than you might think. If I was released tomorrow and I was only two years old, I would still be entering a world that contains many new and unknown technologies, such as generative AI. And I haven’t turned two years old. I have served 17 and am not scheduled to leave for another 11. Without access to technology and proper training, when I leave I will be entering a society that is unrecognizably different from the one I left. More than 20 years in prison will have done nothing to prepare me for the seismic changes that have occurred. And that has to change.
To function in a world plagued by fake news, political propaganda, and emotion disguised as fact, you must be able to investigate and challenge the noise. Here, that option is not available. For the most part, all of our information comes from broadcast news. Exposure to partisan news sources without the ability to check the facts is a recipe for disaster. Although we have access to magazines and newspapers, they cost money, which is why most prisoners choose to watch cable TV. Any group of people exposed to a single news source for years without any other input is at risk of becoming radicalized.
Additionally, limited access to technology prevents incarcerated individuals from setting themselves up for success when they re-enter society. Education is the most effective means of reducing recidivism. Simply completing a GED dramatically reduces an inmate’s chances of returning to prison. If they finish a four-year degree, their chances of returning drop to below 8 percent. Should they obtain a graduate degree, the odds are effectively zero. And yet, a college education is becoming increasingly unattainable; most schools that offer distance learning have transitioned to online-only formats, which are generally inaccessible to inmates.
The BOP has almost unlimited discretion in how it runs its prisons. Decisions made by the office generally cannot be reviewed in court. There are concrete steps the BOP can take to better prepare inmates for release, including providing secure portals for online classes, introducing secure Wi-Fi systems and real-time video visitation, and providing supervised Internet access during the last few months. six months of a sentence: this will dramatically increase an inmate’s chance of reintegration into society.
I am educated, which gives me an advantage in finding a job. I may have grown up in prison, but I have a strong support network, not everyone here has that. Giving them, us, access to technology responsibly is essential if we want people to have a fair chance to get out and stay there.
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