On the Margins of AI: Digital Isolation in Justice-Involved Settings
Understanding the human impact of limited digital access.
Technology shapes nearly every aspect of daily life—from how we communicate and learn, to how we access essential services. Yet, for millions of justice-involved individuals worldwide, limited access to digital tools and skills (i.e., digital exclusion) is creating a growing disadvantage.
This gap is becoming even more consequential as society rapidly enters an era defined by artificial intelligence (AI). As AI systems become more embedded in both personal and professional contexts, the digital divide between justice-involved individuals and the broader population is poised to widen further—making successful reintegration into society more complex and difficult to achieve.
The psychological impact of the growing divide
Justice-involved individuals already face significant barriers due to outdated or absent technology. In many correctional facilities, access to even the most basic digital tools is restricted, leaving justice-involved individuals unfamiliar with current platforms, devices, and online systems.
The absence of digital connectivity in correctional facilities can have profound psychological consequences. Research indicates that justice-involved individuals often experience heightened anxiety and diminished self-esteem when they are unable to communicate with loved ones or engage with familiar platforms.1 The Farmer Review, a 2017 report commissioned by the U.K. Ministry of Justice, found that family relationships are the “golden thread” to help reduce reoffending.2 In fact, the odds of reoffending are 39% lower for justice-involved individuals who receive visits from a family member.2 Now imagine a lack of online connectivity, which can inadvertently limit the morale-boosting effect of a family connection. This sense of social isolation is intensified by the loss of digital family connections, which are crucial for emotional support and maintaining relationships.3 Without access to technology, justice-involved individuals may struggle with feelings of abandonment, loneliness, and loss of identity—all of which can undermine mental health, well-being, and long-term rehabilitation outcomes.
Educational and rehabilitative setbacks
Digital exclusion presents additional barriers to education within the correctional system. Access to online learning platforms and digital literacy programs is increasingly essential for personal development and preparing justice-involved individuals for reintegration into society.4 When these tools are unavailable, participation in educational and rehabilitative programming is limited, which reduces opportunities for skill acquisition and diminishes the effectiveness of educational interventions.5
Compounding this challenge, the inability to maintain digital family relationships can further impede rehabilitation, as family support is often a critical factor in successful reintegration.6 Together, these educational and relational gaps create disadvantages that persist beyond incarceration.
Barriers to social re-integration in an AI-driven world
While the world moves towards AI-powered education and job markets, justice-involved individuals are often denied even basic internet access. As a result, many justice-involved individuals re-enter society without the digital fluency required to navigate AI-driven systems that now dominate job applications, healthcare portals, and public services. This digital gap reinforces existing social inequities, making it harder for justice-involved individuals to secure employment, access essential services, and fully participate in modern society.7
The lack of digital skills has been linked to increased recidivism rates, as individuals struggle to adapt to life beyond incarceration.8 At the same time, international human rights organizations have increasingly recognized digital access as a fundamental human right, advocating for policies that support the digital inclusion of incarcerated populations rather than their continued exclusion.
International perspectives and the growing need for reform
Approaches to digital access in correctional facilities vary dramatically around the world, reflecting different priorities and balances between security and rehabilitation. In the United Kingdom, digital access remains highly restricted, with most justice-involved individuals limited to monitored phone calls and occasional supervised computer use.9 The United States follows similarly stringent practices, though some states are piloting secure tablets for educational purposes.10
In contrast, Nordic countries such as Norway and Sweden embrace a more rehabilitative approach, providing internet access in controlled environments to facilitate education, maintain family ties, and promote reintegration.11 However, many correctional systems have yet to adopt similar programs worldwide.
As AI increasingly shapes the workforce, public services, and everyday interactions, individuals lacking foundational digital skills (especially AI literacy) risk falling even further behind in their ability to adapt and participate in society upon their release. Effective rehabilitation and reintegration now require not only basic digital competence, but also an understanding of AI-driven systems, from automated job application processes to digital identification and healthcare platforms.12 Equipping justice-involved individuals with these skills is essential to prevent a widening digital divide and to ensure they are not excluded from the opportunities and protections afforded by technological progress.
Bridging the gap: A practical pathway to digital inclusion
MHS’ Core Pathway offers a targeted solution to digital exclusion in correctional facilities, equipping justice-involved individuals with essential, real-world digital skills. By learning to apply for jobs online, shop digitally, or access information, Core Pathway enables participants to build confidence and competence in using technology. This approach not only enhances employability and access to vital services upon release, but also fosters psychological well-being by reconnecting individuals with digital family ties and supportive online communities. When integrated into correctional systems, Core Pathway can bridge the digital divide and empower individuals to re-enter society with greater resilience, autonomy, and readiness for an increasingly automated world.
By integrating digital and AI literacy into correctional settings, justice-involved individuals can develop the skills needed to navigate an automated society. Meaningful progress will require collaboration between policymakers, correctional authorities, and technology providers to design programs that balance security with access and opportunity.
Addressing digital exclusion in the correctional system is essential to effective rehabilitation and social reintegration. Without targeted interventions like Core Pathway, the digital divide will continue to disadvantage justice-involved individuals long after their release, perpetuating cycles of exclusion. Forward-looking policy, sustained investment, and evidence-based digital education are crucial to breaking this cycle of exclusion and fostering a more equitable society.
Explore how Core Pathway supports digital readiness and reintegration.
References
1 Haney, C. (2018). The Psychological Impact of Incarceration: Implications for Post-Prison Adjustment. National Institute of Justice Journal, 279, 18–23.
2 Farmer, L. (2017). The importance of strengthening prisoners’ family ties to prevent reoffending and reduce intergenerational crime (Final report from the Farmer Review). Ministry of Justice. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81d6b2e5274a2e87dbfc00/farmer-review-report.pdf
3 Jewkes, Y., & Reisdorf, B. (2016). Digital Exclusion and Prisoner Wellbeing. Prison Service Journal, 224, 45–51.
4 Knight, V. (2016). Prison Education and the Digital Divide. British Journal of Criminology, 56(3), 463–481.
5 Reisdorf, B., & Jewkes, Y. (2019). Prisoners and the Digital Divide: Technology in Correctional Education. Education and Information Technologies, 24(2), 1201–1217.
6 Prison Reform Trust. (2021). Family Ties and Rehabilitation: The Impact of Digital Exclusion. Prison Reform Trust.
7 Stalder, F. (2020). Digital Inequality in Modern Society. Polity Press.
8 Larsen, M. (2022). Digital Disorientation and Recidivism: The Post-Prison Experience. European Journal of Criminology, 19(2), 187–205.
9 Ministry of Justice. (2023). Prison Digital Policy Report. HM Government.
10 Baker, J. (2022). Technology in U.S. Prisons: Balancing Security with Rehabilitation. Corrections Today, 84(2), 34–39.
11 Pratt, J., & Eriksson, A. (2013). Contrasts in Punishment: An Explanation of Anglophone and Nordic Penality. Routledge.
12 Chew, V. (2021). Digital Literacy and Access in Southeast Asian Prisons. Asian Journal of Criminology, 16(1), 55–72.
