The Digital Divide: Access to digital technology for people in custody

Since the early 1980s there have been rapid and profound technological changes in society. Digital technology has become an integral part of our lives. We use swipe-card technology and mobile phones to pay for items and services. We conduct social and economic transactions via email, web-based, or social media platforms. And we continue to adapt …

Western Australia has not given sufficient priority to the development of digital technology for people in custody. There is no centralised coordination or strategy. As a result, progress has been ad hoc and opportunities have been missed. We have fallen behind other states and territories. Access to digital technology for education purposes has driven some …

Access to digital technology for people in custody in Western Australia is poor Compared with other Australian jurisdictions Western Australia has poor access to computers and in-cell devices. On average there is only one computer accessible for every 15 people held in custody. In addition, there is considerable variation between facilities based on how each …

Recommendation 1: Identify and manage the risks associated with in-cell technology, with the intent to expand the availability of in-cell computer access. Recommendation 2: Establish a model to determine the appropriate ratio of computers to prison population, which accounts for the needs of the prison cohort, and increase the number of computers where needed. Recommendation …