To Prove There Is Another Way'': A Qualitative Study on Digital Tools for Education in the Storstrøm Prison of Denmark

Abstract

The use of digital tools inside the prisons has been deemed quintessential in highly digitized societies, to provide to the inmates premises for a better future upon their release, and to familiarize them with the use of everyday technologies. In this endeavor the authors have conducted qualitative research and applied Participatory Design approaches in the prison of Storstrøm, Denmark. The goal is to understand the current use of digital tools inside the facility, describe them and find possible struggles of the users and ways to tackle them. Upon the collection and analysis of the qualitative material various difficulties were discovered, connected with technical issues and sociopolitical factors. Design proposals and future digital implementations are being suggested, drawing from the ideas of Participatory Design, to facilitate the process of learning and reintegration for the prison population that wishes to pursue prospects for a better life after their release.