Several states are looking to improve access to technologies in prison cells, with some also to provide limited access to the internet and email.
Numerous international studies have found that providing access to computers, laptops and tablets, and the internet and email, boost rehabilitation and help people prepare for reintegration into the community.
Despite this, access to these devices in prisons in Australia is limited, with most people in prison only able to access desktop computers in common areas only for legal and educational purposes.
Some states and territories provide access to computers in cells with approval, while others enable people in prison to apply for access to a laptop in their cell. None of these devices have access to the internet or services such as email, and many do not have word processing capabilities.
In New South Wales, a man incarcerated at Goulburn Correctional Centre recently won his case to require the state government to provide him with a laptop with word processing and data storage in his cell. The judge presiding over the case, Chief Justice Andrew Bell, said there was an ever-growing need for better technology to be provided to those in prison.
“There must surely come a time in the third decade of the third millennium when a party to complex litigation in this court can no longer be expected to conduct it without continuous or at least significant regular access to a laptop with internal storage facilities and word processing capabilities,” Bell said.
“At a time in our history when primary school pupils are utilising this technology in the classroom, it seems that the need for a degree of lateral thought in the custodial context may well have arrived.”
There is a growing push for better access to computers, laptops and tablets in prison cells for legal, educational and rehabilitative purposes.
About Time asked each state and territory government about current access to computers, laptops and tablets in prisons, and plans for improvements. Several jurisdictions, including Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, confirmed plans to increase access to devices such as tablets, and to the internet and email.
Earlier this year a trial began in Victoria’s minimum-security prisons giving those incarcerated access to email and pre-approved websites to help prepare them for their release from custody.
“People in custody are encouraged to maintain ties with family – this helps with their transition into the community after completing their sentence,” a spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety said.
“To support this, Corrections Victoria has trialled the expansion of limited access to computer services at three lower security prisons to facilitate email with family and friends on their approved list and legal representation.”
Several states are looking to improve access to technologies in prison cells, with some also to provide limited access to the internet and email.
Numerous international studies have found that providing access to computers, laptops and tablets, and the internet and email, boost rehabilitation and help people prepare for reintegration into the community.
Despite this, access to these devices in prisons in Australia is limited, with most people in prison only able to access desktop computers in common areas only for legal and educational purposes.
Some states and territories provide access to computers in cells with approval, while others enable people in prison to apply for access to a laptop in their cell. None of these devices have access to the internet or services such as email, and many do not have word processing capabilities.
In New South Wales, a man incarcerated at Goulburn Correctional Centre recently won his case to require the state government to provide him with a laptop with word processing and data storage in his cell. The judge presiding over the case, Chief Justice Andrew Bell, said there was an ever-growing need for better technology to be provided to those in prison.
“There must surely come a time in the third decade of the third millennium when a party to complex litigation in this court can no longer be expected to conduct it without continuous or at least significant regular access to a laptop with internal storage facilities and word processing capabilities,” Bell said.
“At a time in our history when primary school pupils are utilising this technology in the classroom, it seems that the need for a degree of lateral thought in the custodial context may well have arrived.”
There is a growing push for better access to computers, laptops and tablets in prison cells for legal, educational and rehabilitative purposes.
About Time asked each state and territory government about current access to computers, laptops and tablets in prisons, and plans for improvements. Several jurisdictions, including Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, confirmed plans to increase access to devices such as tablets, and to the internet and email.
Earlier this year a trial began in Victoria’s minimum-security prisons giving those incarcerated access to email and pre-approved websites to help prepare them for their release from custody.
“People in custody are encouraged to maintain ties with family – this helps with their transition into the community after completing their sentence,” a spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety said.
“To support this, Corrections Victoria has trialled the expansion of limited access to computer services at three lower security prisons to facilitate email with family and friends on their approved list and legal representation.”
In New South Wales, some inmates have been given tablets which can access a small number of pre-approved websites, along with the offender telephone system, games, books and library services.
These tablets were first rolled out in 2020 in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and there are now more than 12,000 across the state’s prison system.
“Corrective Services NSW keeps a finger on the pulse of emerging technological advancements that could positively impact inmate rehabilitation and custodial settings,” a Corrective Services NSW spokesperson said.
“We carefully assess and introduce new technologies and initiatives with a focus on striking a balance between inmate rehabilitation and security, acknowledging that community safety must always come first.”
There are also plans to provide people in prison with tablets in Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson told About Time that in-cell technology such as handheld tablets will play a key role in its future plans, and that the soon-to-be-opened Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre will be the first in the state to provide these tablets to people in prison.
The tablets will provide access to account balances and canteen ordering, education, legal and wellbeing materials and restricted free-to-air television.
“Providing these devices aims to enhance the safety of the operating environment by enabling individuals to maintain important family relationships and be more self-directed in their access to essential services,” the spokesperson said.
“Preliminary work has started to explore opportunities for prisoner in-cell technology in correctional centres across Queensland.”
The ACT government is in the “early stages” of providing in-cell technologies to those incarcerated in the Alexander Maconochie Centre. These technologies will include tablets that have rehabilitative, educational, administrative, recreational and communication programs.
And in Tasmania, the recent state budget provided funding to investigate options to increase in-cell technologies in the state’s prisons.
The West Australian government did not outline any plans to roll out tablets in its prisons or expand access to in-cell technologies in response to questions from About Time.
Current rules around accessing computers and laptops in prisons vary greatly across the country.
In most states and territories, those in prison can access desktop computers in common areas for education or legal work. Several states also allow people in prison to apply for access to a computer or laptop in their cell for these same reasons.
Across NSW prisons, there are about 1000 computers for work and study, and 150 computers for accessing legal information in out-of-cell hours. There are also more than 185 e-brief laptops for accessing legal information in cells.
In Victoria, some inmates can apply to buy a computer to use in their cells for legal case preparations and education, with strict guidelines.
In Queensland, those in prison can access computers in education buildings by request for legal and approved educational purposes. They can also apply to rent an in-cell, offline computer for $4 a week for these purposes.
In Western Australia, those in prison can have a computer in their cell only in “exceptional circumstances”, such as to help with their legal defence or to view legal documents. WA prisons have computers in education centres for people engaged in education and vocational training programs.
“The use of a Corrective Services-issued computer is considered a privilege that may be removed at any time and is limited to the approved prisoner,” a WA department spokesperson told About Time.
In Tasmania’s Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, 90 percent of people incarcerated have a computer account, and two-thirds of those in Ron Barwick Prison have such an account.
Computer access in prisons in Tasmania is generally from common areas, while those enrolled in education programs can apply to access a loaned offline computer in their cells.
The ACT government allows approved inmates to access desktop computers in general accommodation units and a computer lab. This is for educational and legal purposes, and to access email and approved news, sport and electoral websites.
In New South Wales, some inmates have been given tablets which can access a small number of pre-approved websites, along with the offender telephone system, games, books and library services.
These tablets were first rolled out in 2020 in the wake of the Covid pandemic, and there are now more than 12,000 across the state’s prison system.
“Corrective Services NSW keeps a finger on the pulse of emerging technological advancements that could positively impact inmate rehabilitation and custodial settings,” a Corrective Services NSW spokesperson said.
“We carefully assess and introduce new technologies and initiatives with a focus on striking a balance between inmate rehabilitation and security, acknowledging that community safety must always come first.”
There are also plans to provide people in prison with tablets in Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesperson told About Time that in-cell technology such as handheld tablets will play a key role in its future plans, and that the soon-to-be-opened Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre will be the first in the state to provide these tablets to people in prison.
The tablets will provide access to account balances and canteen ordering, education, legal and wellbeing materials and restricted free-to-air television.
“Providing these devices aims to enhance the safety of the operating environment by enabling individuals to maintain important family relationships and be more self-directed in their access to essential services,” the spokesperson said.
“Preliminary work has started to explore opportunities for prisoner in-cell technology in correctional centres across Queensland.”
The ACT government is in the “early stages” of providing in-cell technologies to those incarcerated in the Alexander Maconochie Centre. These technologies will include tablets that have rehabilitative, educational, administrative, recreational and communication programs.
And in Tasmania, the recent state budget provided funding to investigate options to increase in-cell technologies in the state’s prisons.
The West Australian government did not outline any plans to roll out tablets in its prisons or expand access to in-cell technologies in response to questions from About Time.
Current rules around accessing computers and laptops in prisons vary greatly across the country.
In most states and territories, those in prison can access desktop computers in common areas for education or legal work. Several states also allow people in prison to apply for access to a computer or laptop in their cell for these same reasons.
Across NSW prisons, there are about 1000 computers for work and study, and 150 computers for accessing legal information in out-of-cell hours. There are also more than 185 e-brief laptops for accessing legal information in cells.
In Victoria, some inmates can apply to buy a computer to use in their cells for legal case preparations and education, with strict guidelines.
In Queensland, those in prison can access computers in education buildings by request for legal and approved educational purposes. They can also apply to rent an in-cell, offline computer for $4 a week for these purposes.
In Western Australia, those in prison can have a computer in their cell only in “exceptional circumstances”, such as to help with their legal defence or to view legal documents. WA prisons have computers in education centres for people engaged in education and vocational training programs.
“The use of a Corrective Services-issued computer is considered a privilege that may be removed at any time and is limited to the approved prisoner,” a WA department spokesperson told About Time.
In Tasmania’s Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, 90 percent of people incarcerated have a computer account, and two-thirds of those in Ron Barwick Prison have such an account.
Computer access in prisons in Tasmania is generally from common areas, while those enrolled in education programs can apply to access a loaned offline computer in their cells.
The ACT government allows approved inmates to access desktop computers in general accommodation units and a computer lab. This is for educational and legal purposes, and to access email and approved news, sport and electoral websites.
Including tough bail laws being introduced in Victoria, the South Australian Government ruling out raising the age of criminal responsibility, a new parole board president appointed in Queensland and more.
The Australian Federal election is coming up. This is about voting for the Prime Minister and other federal politicians. It will be held on 3 May 2025.
“We can’t get information about how a party or candidate’s policies must impact prisoners,” Kelly told About Time. ‘Prison officers also will not provide us with any information as it is seen as political.”
Prison work differs across the country.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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