Digital Inclusion For Offenders And Youth at Risk
Tags: Prison, Employment, Inclusion

Why digital inclusion is a priority for prisoners & youth at risk

Everyone’s talking about digital inclusion, but what does it really mean? Digital inclusion can be summarised as a larger goal with three main areas: digital skills, connectivity and accessibility. Being able to use a computer and the internet is important. However, a lack of digital skills is not necessarily the only, or the biggest barrier people face when it comes to digital inclusion. People also need the right infrastructure to get online. Lastly, accessibility means that services should be designed to meet all users’ needs, including those dependent on assistive technology — and those in prison. Accessibility is a barrier for many people, but digital inclusion is broader and encompasses all three of these obstacles; digital skills, connectivity and accessibility.

Our personal interpretation of digital inclusion is a simpler one. For us, digital inclusion means proactively taking steps to ensure everyone is able to use technology and enjoy the opportunities that come with it. We see it as levelling the playing field for the less-fortunate that have not been able to use technology in the past.

A simple task on a digital device

The need to learn code

While digital exclusion is a problem for people in every-day society, it is much more of an issue in the justice system. People who have served prison sentences can often find themselves digitally excluded; after being removed from modern technology for many years, they are simply released and expected to get on with their lives. For example, consider technology 15 years ago. Everyone carried a flip-phone or a slide-phone, wireless connectivity wasn’t really a thing and people could only dream about button-less phones. Imagine, that with that mind-set — of 15 years ago — you are dropped into today’s society. How disturbing and overwhelming that must be. Surely for many, going back to ‘the old ways’ is the only way out.

More often than not, prisoners have not had the chance to familiarise themselves with new technology before their release. This results in problems following their release and many struggle with day-to-day activities and integrating back into society. But, by simply bringing new technology into a prison, it eases this transition for the offender and reduces the chance of them re-offending. In addition, they are learning a new-age skill that can increase career potential, which in turn also reduces the chances of re-offending.

While I was in prison, I learnt how to code and quickly realised this needs to happen in every prison across the country. The skills I obtained were beneficial but there was something missing. I came to realise that it’s not just about digital skills, it’s also about developing soft skills, such as confidence and communication, while also developing a support network. I feel that with all these parts in place, every prisoner has a much better chance to succeed upon release.

That’s why we’ve created CodeAtt, a Not-For-Profit Organisation that’s on a mission to create long-term social change by teaching life empowerment skills and industry specific coding skills which in turn, leads to high level employment opportunities for ex-offenders and young Londoners at risk of crime.

This has been made possible through a collaboration with myself, Tariq Hassan and Josh Rolland as well as new team members and partners such as Sabine Vreugdenhil, Gethin Jones and Dale Carnegie London..

We are committed to digital inclusion for everyone, but particularly those with experience of the criminal justice system and those at risk of criminality. We’re keen to engage with others and get your opinions and thoughts on the issue:

Do you think offenders should be allowed modern day tech to communicate and prepare for their release? What are your worries and fears, or your hopes and aspirations?

https://codeatt.org/