Top tech experts are meeting the Justice Secretary today (Thursday 8 May) as
part of a Government drive to use AI and technology to transform
the justice system and cut crime.
Over 30 companies including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and
Google will explore how revolutionary tech could be used to
tackle violence in prison, better monitor offenders in the
community and improve risk assessments of offenders.
The meeting comes as new research shows curfew tags, which keep
offenders at home and off the streets during certain times, can
reduce reoffending by 20 per cent. This demonstrates how even
older technology is supporting punishment in the community and
cutting crime.
The challenge now is to see how newer technology can contribute
to help deliver the Government's Plan for Change to make streets
safer.
Today's gathering will be chaired by , the prison and probation
minister, and opened by Lord Chancellor, .
Lord Chancellor, , said:
“We inherited a justice system in crisis, with prisons close to
collapse and staff overburdened and under pressure.
“We need bold ideas to address the challenges that we face
– supporting our staff, delivering swifter justice for victims,
and cutting crime.
“Today, we have an analogue justice system in a digital
age.
“The UK has a world-leading and growing tech sector, and I know
our tech firms have a huge role to play in delivering our Plan
for Change to make streets safer.”
The roundtable marks the first time key players in the UK's tech
ecosystem will meet with justice ministers to discuss some of the
toughest challenges our courts, prisons and probation system
face.
Discussion will focus on the potential for even more effective
tracking of offender movement, using data to aid probation
officers to perform better risk assessments and whether digital
platforms can help offenders rehabilitate and integrate back into
society, cutting reoffending.
It has been organised in partnership with TechUK which is the
trade association that brings together companies and
organisations to promote digital technology.
TechUK CEO, David OBE
said:
“We're honoured to be hosting this roundtable discussion with the
Ministry of Justice – It presents an excellent opportunity for
the tech sector to highlight the transformative role that
technology is playing in modernising our criminal justice system.
“TechUK and our members believe that collaboration and open
dialogue are essential to fostering innovation and driving
meaningful reform - particularly in how offenders are
rehabilitated - and that digital tools can be a powerful force in
sustaining this positive impact across society.”
Other companies attending include:
-
Allied Universal: an industry leader
technology and service company for three decades
-
Cognizant Worldwide Limited: focuses on
modernising technology, reimagining processes and transforming
experiences
-
TPXimpact: a UK-based company focusing on
digital transformation and creating positive change for people,
places, and the planet
Microsoft Ltd. UK Public Sector General Manager, Amanda
Sleight said:
"We're thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative with
the Ministry of Justice.
“Microsoft is committed to advancing the ethical use of AI
technology to reduce the administrative burden on prison and
probation staff, allowing them more time to focus on delivering
high-quality frontline services, reducing recidivism and helping
integrate offenders back into society.”
The aim is for a follow up to this meeting with an event open to
the whole of industry to apply to come back and present their
groundbreaking ideas and solutions in the coming months.
Earlier this year, the Lord Chancellor set out her vision for the Probation
Service, which included a bold new £8 million pledge to
introduce new technology to help risk assess offenders and cut
back on admin, increasing focus on those offenders who pose the
greatest risk to the public.
ENDS.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The full list of companies attending are:
- Allied
- Atos
- Amazon Web Services UK
- BT Group Plc
- Buddi
- Capgemini UK Plc
- CGI
- Cognizant Worldwide
Limited
- Esri Inc
- Google UK Limited
- IBM United Kingdom
Limited
- Make Time Count
- Made Tech
- Microsoft Ltd
- Nacro
- NTT Data
- Palantir Technologies UK
Ltd
- Serco
- ServiceNow
- Splunk
- SAS
- Talitrix EM Ltd
- TPXimpact
- Transform UK Consulting
Ltd
- Unilink
- Version1
- Cosimmetry
