Technology Can Promote DEI in Prisons

Corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts made massive strides in 2023, but a look back at the year reveals a demographic that is still suffering from outdated stereotypes: returning citizens. Research shows that a criminal record can reduce the chances of an interview by as much as 50% for the 650,000 individuals released from prison each year. Since incarceration disproportionately affects minorities, this glaring inequality directly counteracts the ideals of DEI efforts.

The responsibility for fair-chance hiring isn’t entirely on corporations, however. Prioritizing DEI principles starts by equipping incarcerated individuals for success as soon as they enter a facility. State governments and prison administrators can — and should — advance DEI in prisons by implementing technological solutions that prepare the incarcerated for meaningful employment after release.

Online education and vocational programs offer incarcerated individuals the opportunity to learn practical skills that boost their chances of meaningful employment after release. By providing these resources on tablets, prisons can give the incarcerated flexible, unlimited access to programs that teach practical skills. Technology makes DEI goals tangible by equipping everyone with the hard skills and certifications they need to thrive in the workplace. 

Technology also holistically prepares the incarcerated for success by providing resources to strengthen their mental health and develop their soft skills. Beyond educational options that promote hope and purpose, tablets equipped with mental health resources can also give incarcerated individuals the support they need to make the most of their time in correctional facilities. Counseling services and stress relief programs, for instance, can teach important life skills that are integral to successful reintegration and a more inclusive workforce.

Utilizing technology in prisons serves the added function of keeping incarcerated individuals up-to-date with the ever-changing world of technology. The ability to navigate and use technology is increasingly essential to holding a job. Equipping the incarcerated with these skills prepares them for successful reentry and gives them demonstrable skills to show potential employers.

These programs can continue after incarceration, facilitating a smoother transition into the workforce for returning citizens. Services such as post-release training and support groups are key to advancing DEI in prisons. Building stronger, more diverse workplaces starts with creating stronger opportunities for all candidates. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t just words or ideas. They’re actions that change lives. Putting DEI into practice for the justice involved starts before a resume is ever submitted. State governments and prisons have an opportunity to invest in the incarcerated and, consequently, to invest in a more equitable justice system and workforce. Making technology normative in prisons won’t just change the way correctional facilities work. It will change our society by protecting and promoting the rights of every individual, no matter their background.

Jessica L. Artz, SPHR is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer of ViaPath Technologies, a global corrections technology leader that facilitates successful reintegration for incarcerated individuals. She also serves as President of 2C Workforce Solutions.

Photo courtesy of iStock