Today’s prison system has moved away from looking like jails managed during medieval times. It’s no longer a place of severe punishment, torture, and death. Prisons today are moving towards correcting and rehabilitating individuals who have committed a crime.
Some prisons are taking a massive step by using mobile technology to improve rehabilitation through educational programs for prisoners. But is giving prisoners access to gadgets beneficial?
Furthermore, can prisoners attend classes in prison? If so, how? Can they use tablets and other devices in correctional facilities, and is there a preferred device type or brand for such learning?
This article will give insight into the learning opportunities given to prisoners inside correctional facilities. Also, this write-up will show how this is done, what gadgets are used and permitted for use, and how such learning opportunities help inmates in their rehabilitation.
Education is one of the critical components of rehabilitation inside correctional facilities. If you need more information about this topic, check out this article about the prison system. You’ll learn about its role in society as a place of rehabilitation and correction for convicted individuals.
Why Android Tablets Are Used in Prison Education
The main reason why prisons prefer androids when planning to put up mobile education programs for prisoners is that they’re cheaper and easily customizable. JPay, a private company focused on providing technology services to prisons, has begun a project utilizing android tablets for an education program targeting inmates.
Androids are much easier to work with as they are cheap, can easily be modified, and have the essential quality needed for inmate use. A rudimentary tablet can easily be provided to inmates that can run apps designed for the educational program.
For an inmate to participate in this program, they should enroll, and a tablet is provided. The android tablet is either lent by the university managing the education program or purchased by the family.
After getting the tablets, the prisoners will accomplish modules and activities included in the program. In return, inmates can freely use these androids, which have access to music, selected videos, reading materials, and programs provided by the university and the prison management.
Internet connection and calls are limited, and prisoners can’t access these services through the provided tablet. In some prisons, inmates have limited access to the internet to provide more accessible communication with family members.
For prisons that don’t have that access to the internet, talking with loved ones must go through the telephone system of the correctional facility. Inmates and their loved ones must follow the requirements to set up a call.
Once they have completed the education program, ranging from vocations to degree courses, the university will give them certificates or diplomas. These prisoners can use these credentials once they get reintegrated into society.
The Effect of Gadgets in Learning Programs for Inmates
Education has always been an integral part of shaping a person’s character. Through proper education, people, even inmates, can have the opportunity to improve their lives for the better.
Android tablets enhance the efficiency of learning programs provided to inmates. It motivates them to continue the program through gadgets that may enhance their rehabilitation.
Studies have shown that technology positively impacts incarcerated people and improves their engagement in learning programs. The results of these studies show that technology can be a tool to help prisoners improve and may help in rehabilitation and possible reintegration into society.
Education can help people make better judgments and prevent them from engaging in activities that may harm themselves and their families. Suppose you have someone you know or have a loved one incarcerated.
In that case, enrolling them in these programs will benefit them. It’s a proactive move to help people change for the better. All these benefits stem from a simple gadget that brings education into the heart of someone working hard to become a better individual. It only takes a little faith in a person’s ability to change to improve the chances of prisoners getting rehabilitated.
Reference
- The effects of technology on incarcerated student motivation and engagement in classroom-based learning https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42454-022-00044-8