In his maiden speech to Parliament, Lord James Timpson, recently appointed Labour’s Prisons Minister, articulated a vision that resonates deeply with us at Unilink. His powerful assertion that prisons should create better citizens, not better criminals, aligns with our mission to leverage technology to “help prisons and probation work”.
Lord Timpson’s speech highlighted a stark reality: while prisons must serve as a deterrent and a means of punishment, their current state often fails to rehabilitate offenders. Instead, they frequently emerge as environments that exacerbate criminal behaviour. At Unilink, we believe these challenges can be addressed through innovative solutions that support helping prisons to work effectively and efficiently.
Unilink’s Custodial Management System including prisoner self-service, has been independently shown to help with rehabilitation. Then working with Serco, Unilink used the metadata from self-service to develop a product to identify prisoners most likely to be at risk of self-harm. The resulting product AIM (Alert. Intervene. Monitor) works by analysing prisoners’ behaviour and alerting staff where risks are high.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons described AIM as “an impressive new digital tool could help staff identify women most at risk of isolation. All interactions that took place through the kiosk, such as booking a visit, buying phone credit and ordering shop items, could be analysed to determine if a woman was engaging with prison life, which, in turn, could alert staff to the need to provide more support. ”
Moreover, the self-service applications empower prisoners by giving them control over aspects of their daily lives instead of being infantilised. This empowerment is a key component of rehabilitation, helping inmates develop a sense of responsibility that is essential for their reintegration into society.
One of the most poignant points in Lord Timpson’s speech was his emphasis on the importance of employment for prison leavers. Drawing from his experience with Timpson’s shoe repairers and key cutters, he has directly witnessed the transformative power of giving ex-offenders a second chance through meaningful employment. At Unilink, we have employed prisoners in kiosk assembly and our digital solutions facilitate the acquisition of skills and the maintenance of vital family connections, both of which are critical for successful reintegration.
Unilink’s communications services: Video Sessions and messaging help to keep families connected during incarceration, providing a support network that is often crucial for the mental and emotional health of inmates. Maintaining these bonds not only aids in rehabilitation but also reduces the likelihood of reoffending, creating a safer society for all.
At Unilink, we are inspired by Lord Timpson’s vision and are eager to support his efforts with our innovative technologies and proven expertise. We believe that by working together, we can create a more rehabilitative prison system that benefits everyone—staff, prisoners, and society at large.
The journey towards a more rehabilitative and effective prison system is a challenging one, but with leaders like Lord Timpson and the support of innovative solutions, it is a journey we can successfully undertake. Unilink is proud to be part of this crucial transformation.
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