Transforming the Carceral Experience: Leveraging Technology for Rehabilitation
Despite a $182 billion annual cost, the U.S. correctional system perpetuates itself: At least 95% of all state prisoners will be released from prison at some point, yet more than 50% of them reoffend within three years.
A key driver of high recidivism is the systemic negligence of the carceral experience. While much attention is given to interventions post-release, rehabilitation inside correctional facilities is largely invisible to the public. This dynamic results in approximately 2 million incarcerated persons being locked in a “time capsule”—the world passes them by as they serve their sentences. This is a missed opportunity, as simple interventions like accessing educational resources and maintaining family contact during incarceration can cut recidivism by up to 56%. Reduced recidivism translates into more robust workforce, safer communities, and higher political participation. The new administration should harness the momentous bipartisan interest in criminal justice reform, audit the condition and availability of rehabilitative resources in prisons and jails, invest in digital and technology infrastructure, and sustainably end mass incarceration through building meaningful digital citizenship behind bars.
