Shabana Mahmood advocates for AI use to prevent prison violence and self-harm

In the United Kingdom, Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, has expressed a strong interest in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) within prisons to address the rising instances of violence and self-harm among inmates. Mahmood's initiative follows a sentencing review she commissioned, led by David Gauke, which is investigating AI applications in correctional facilities across various countries, including Hong Kong, the United States, Singapore, and the Netherlands. These countries have successfully integrated technologies, such as AI-powered cameras and video analytics systems, into their prison management strategies to enhance safety and security by predicting potentially harmful behavior in inmates. Mahmood highlighted notable examples of AI usage, specifically mentioning how Hong Kong's correctional services have deployed advanced video analytics systems capable of recognizing suspicious behaviors, such as abnormal congregations or self-harm attempts among inmates. These systems automatically alert prison staff, allowing for timely interventions that could prevent violence or self-injury. Similarly, Singapore’s prison service employs a software named Avatar, which utilizes an algorithm to detect erratic inmate movements and can trigger alarms for prison officers to respond before situations escalate. These applications illustrate the potential of AI as a proactive tool for improving inmate safety and reducing violent outbreaks. The justice secretary's view also extends to the development and usage of predictive policing software being evaluated in the Netherlands. This software projects the likelihood of individuals committing future offenses, though it has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations for raising concerns about racial and ethnic biases. Mahmood is keen on understanding how this technology can be tailored to monitor offenders on parole, effectively reducing the risk of reoffending and allowing for more efficient management of the probation system. Through these findings, Mahmood aims to create a more rehabilitative environment within the UK’s prison system, focusing on reducing violence while fostering effective rehabilitation programs. Her comments on integrating technology reflect a broader trend where governments look to modernize correctional systems and use data-driven approaches to enhance accountability and safety. Mahmood emphasizes that any implementation of AI must retain public confidence in the criminal justice system, ensuring ethical considerations are met while reaping the benefits of technological advancements in offender management.