McDougall, Cynthia orcid.org/0000-0001-8038-1402, Pearson, Dominic A.S., Torgerson, David John orcid.org/0000-0002-1667-4275 et al. (1 more author) (2017) The effect of digital technology on prisoner behavior and reoffending:a natural stepped-wedge design. Journal of Experimental Criminology. 13. pp. 455-482. ISSN 1572-8315
Abstract
Objectives: Although prisons aspire to rehabilitate offenders, they fail to prepare prisoners for release into our modern digitally sophisticated society. The objectives of the current study were to assess the impact of digital technology on the culture of prisons, and on prisoners’ ability to self-manage their behavior and reoffending. Method: Using a natural stepped-wedge design, 13 prisons in the UK were examined that had installed self-service technology over a period of 7 years. A longitudinal multi-level model was used to analyze frequencies of disciplinary proceedings within and between the prisons before and after installation. Reoffending was examined in comparison with a control sample. Quantitative results were supported by a prisoner survey and usage data. Results: Prison disciplinary offenses were significantly reduced over a two-year period, and reoffending in the first year after release was reduced by 5.36% compared to a 0.78% reduction in comparison prisons. The prisoner survey and usage data suggested that prisoners felt much more in control of their lives in prison and much more confident in coping with technology in the outside world. Conclusions: The changes created by the introduction of digital technology offer the opportunity to make prisons more efficient for staff, and places of improved learning and rehabilitation for prisoners, contributing to a safer society. This study offers an important contribution to the field of corrections, providing the first quantitative assessment of the effect of prisoner self-service technology on prisoner behavior and reoffending.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2017. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details |
Keywords: | Digital exclusion,Digital technology,Offender rehabilitation,Prison misconduct,Prisoner reentry,Recidivism,Stepped-wedge design |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Psychology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Economics and Related Studies (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 23 Feb 2018 14:30 |
Last Modified: | 02 Apr 2025 23:12 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-017-9303-5 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s11292-017-9303-5 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:127875 |
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Description: Accepted Manuscript -The Effect of Digital Technology on Prisoner Behavior and Re