Businesses showcase tough justice tech to government ministers

• Businesses pitch new technology to Ministers that will deliver safer streets, contributing to the Government's Plan for Change  
• Strict 24/7 surveillance and enhanced AI could monitor criminals in the community more closely than ever before 
• New “smell-detector” AI device could detect substance abuse inside and outside prison 

Thousands of criminals could soon be managed by revolutionary new technology to enhance how the justice system monitors offenders and cuts reoffending.  

Today (Tuesday 01 July) seven top tech companies will pitch their ideas to the Prisons and Probation's Minister, James Timpson, as part of a Dragon's Den style pitch, after being whittled down from over 90 submissions.  

The finalists include companies developing AI home monitoring which will toughen up punishment outside of prison. Cameras will be installed inside offenders' homes, with artificial intelligence used to analyse offenders' behaviours ensuring they comply with licence conditions.  

Other radical tech ideas include ‘smell detector' devices which use synthetic brain cells and AI to replicate the behaviour of a human nose. The tech will help deliver enhanced surveillance and detect the use of drugs, such as Spice or Fentanyl, offering prison and probation a swift way to detect drugs and boost staff safety.  

Additional proposals include software to standardise how staff input information on offenders, alongside transcription tools to cut the administrative burden and cost to taxpayers, while allowing staff to focus more of their time on cutting crime. 

The successful businesses will have their proposals considered for pilot rollouts, helping staff on the front line to tackle violence in prison and monitor offenders. 

This follows the Government's response to the Independent Sentencing Review, which recommended the greater use of technology and community sentencing in a bid to tackle the inherited crisis in our prisons system. 

Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister, James Timpson, said:  

“We inherited a justice system in crisis and in need of reform. Prisons and probation are working in analogue while tech drives forward a new digital age''

“That's why we have invited companies to present bold new ideas to help us deliver tough punishment and enhanced surveillance. Embracing new technologies will help us to protect victims, reduce reoffending and cut crime as part of our Plan for Change.”

In the Spending Review, the Government announced that the Probation Service will receive up to £700 million, an almost 45% increase in funding. This new funding will mean tens of thousands more offenders can be tagged and monitored in the community.  

These technological solutions follow the publication of recent research that confirms 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. 

ENDS.  

Guidance:

The full list of companies pitching to the Ministry of Justice including a brief overview of their proposals, where reportable, can be found below:  
 

Netcompany UK Ltd. 

Netcompany are presenting an AI-enabled app supporting safe and efficient offender management in the community with reduced admin and travel overheads for staff, greater agency and time for focus on rehabilitation activities for the offender and more reliable data on engagement and outcomes to inform future policy making. The solution is based on existing European government services for two-way secure communication and document and accreditation management, illustrating the innovation and acceleration that can be gained by looking to other governments' experience in using technology to improve outcomes and citizen experience.   

Alcohol Monitoring Systems Ltd. 

Alcohol Monitoring Systems Ltd is the UK arm of SCRAM Systems, a global provider of alcohol and location monitoring technologies. Their flagship product is the SCRAM CAM® (Continuous Alcohol Monitoring) tag, which is widely used in the UK criminal justice system to enforce Alcohol Abstinence and Monitoring Requirements (AAMR) and Alcohol Monitoring on Licence (AML) conditions. 

Optimation Group. 

Optimation Connect is an award-winning digital platform transforming community justice supervision. Recently recognised as the NZ Hi-Tech Awards "Best Solution for Public Good," Connect enables secure, biometric-based monitoring and support for individuals under community supervision. Proven at scale in Australia and New Zealand, Connect delivers measurable improvements in compliance, rehabilitation, and operational efficiency—helping justice agencies better support individuals, reduce reoffending, and create safer communities.   

Espanaro Ltd. 

“Consilium Home Custody” is an AI-powered, autonomous offender monitoring system designed to support non-custodial sentencing. Combining behavioural analytics, facial recognition, location tracking, and digital communications monitoring, the platform offers a next-generation alternative to traditional house arrest - providing scalable, privacy-aware enforcement with minimal human intervention. The solution integrates with the national VigilantEye network and local public sector infrastructure to ensure public safety and drive rehabilitation outcomes.”   

The Lava Group. 

Behaviour & Life Signs Monitoring is an AI-powered in-cell monitoring system designed to support safer custodial care. The system provides continuous, real-time monitoring of behavioural patterns & vital signs using non-invasive sensors. It detects micro changes in behaviour & physiology. These include irregular movement, signs of distress & changes in breathing patterns. By shifting from reactive to proactive support, it helps protect prisoner wellbeing while easing pressure on frontline staff. 

SentrX Ltd. 

SentrX Ltd wants to support the MOJ with their four primary goals through the use of tried and tested cutting edge AI/ML technology. Using our Phoenix Link Web Platform the Lord Chancellor and her team will be provided with: 1) Complete oversight of all offenders who are electronically monitored within the England and Wales; 2) The capability to monitor all offenders end to end to create a seamless transition from in prison to monitoring in the community to include the ability to monitor for infractions such as substance abuse, violence and use of mobile phones in prison ; 3) Support for survivors of domestic abuse and stalking to move freely by having a geofence which moves with them; 4)  The capability to monitor all offenders end to end to create a seamless transition from in prison to monitoring in the community to include the ability to monitor for infractions such as substance abuse, violence and use of mobile phones in prison; 5) -Substantially reducing paperwork and increasing governance so that staff can  focus time on the most critical areas. 

Scram System 

SCRAM Nexus is an automated decision support platform designed to support the probation service through application of evidence-based practice, alleviates pressures and allows officers to focus their priorities.   

Voop Wireless Ltd. 

Voop Wireless Ltd is a UK-based technology company incorporated in June 2024, specialising in wireless telecommunications, satellite communications, and software development.  

Accenture 

Accenture is a global professional services company headquartered in Ireland. Their pitch includes reinventing drug detection with bio-technology.