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Incidents of violence against prison staff continue to rise, and now, the UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance safety and improve the management of inmates. This initiative, part of a broader action plan to incorporate AI into the criminal justice system, aims to reduce risks and increase operational efficiency in correctional facilities.
The core of the AI program focuses on predicting violent behavior by analyzing a variety of factors, including a prisoner’s age, and prior violent incidents while in custody, according to the press release. By processing this data, the AI system can assess the risk posed by individual inmates more accurately, leading to more informed decisions regarding their placement in different security-level prisons, isolation from other prisoners, or assignment to specialized separation units.
Beyond violence prediction, AI will also assist in streamlining administrative tasks. For example, AI will be used to draft reports for officers who may lack the time to fully review case details, thus helping to clarify key information and support decision-making. Additionally, AI will analyze data from confiscated mobile phones, searching for coded language or signs of illegal activities, such as drug dealing or plans for violence and escape.
The technology is expected to have a significant impact on prison security, helping staff identify potential threats and violence risks before they escalate. This includes identifying threats to both inmates and prison officers, as well as spotting attempts to smuggle in weapons or organize escapes.
The MoJ is also planning the introduction of a digital ID for offenders, which will allow better tracking of criminal records across courts, prisons, and probation services. This new system, supported by AI, will help ensure that offender records are accurate and complete, preventing cases where slight discrepancies in data could lead to mismanagement or missed connections in criminal histories.
