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A successful ICPA conference

Socrates Software recently had the pleasure of being part of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) conference in Orlando, Florida.

Over 550 senior prison and probation delegates and some of the world’s leading experts in global corrections, from approximately 80 different countries, attended the annual event. 

It was very encouraging to see the huge interest in Socrates tablets, in particular for providing education, family communications and digital interventions. The L&G exhibition space, where Socrates products were on display, was very busy throughout the six day event, and we got a chance to meet up face-to-face with many of our International Prison Services customers and private sector partners.

The event saw around 150 presentations from prominent speakers, who spoke on a variety of themes, including more inclusive practice in corrections, demographic shifts within in-custody populations, and best practice in re-entry and community corrections.

Jennifer Luther, a sector expert specialising in substance misuse interventions and project lead from Florida State University, presented on why FSU chose Socrates as their partner to provide digital interventions to justice-involved individuals, both in incarceration and in the community.

ICPA events can often be a catalyst for positive change, and we hope that the many exciting and forward-looking conversations and ideas at the event can help to usher in a new era of corrections and re-integration.

Media

Socrates features on Catch22Minutes podcast

 

Socrates’ Business Development Director James Levy, recently featured on Catch22 podcast Catch22Minutes, as part of an episode on ‘The Digital Revolution in our Prisons‘.

James featured alongside Jim Taylor of Code4000, a charity that trains prisoners to become software developers, and then supports them into launching their careers on release, minimising reoffending.

James and Jim discussed recent developments in prison technology, with a particular focus on the way in which access to digital technology can provide alternative ways of learning in prison, and help people in prison to develop skills that will prepare them for life and work in the community.

You can listen to the episode, as well as previous episodes in the series, here.

 

Press Releases

Socrates partners with Track Group

 

 

Socrates Software has entered an exclusive partnership with US-based company Track Group, a global leader in offender tracking and monitoring services.

The United States has the largest prison population in the world, with over 2 million Americans incarcerated. Roughly 600,000 of them return to communities each year with limited access to tools that support their reintegration.

Track Group and Socrates aim to change that by providing education, life skills, and vocational training to prisoners, parolees, and probationers, both during and after their sentences.

“Track Group’s experience, reputation for service, and commitment to public safety are the reasons we chose this partnership,” said James Levy, Socrates Software’s Managing Director.

“We have nearly 20,000 registered service users across five countries, and we look forward to empowering many more individuals to enhance their futures.”

“With Socrates 360, we are combining technology and skills training to help participants succeed after being released from custody,” said Derek Cassell, Track Group’s CEO.

“I believe by providing tailored education, employment, and life skills courses, we can better assist government agencies tasked with helping people get back on their feet.”

News

Socrates begins partnership with ACCI Lifeskills

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with ACCI Lifeskills. ACCI is an international provider of evidence-based cognitive life skills courses and programmes. We have converted their Cognitive Awareness course into an engaging, interactive digital format for use on our tablets, with more courses to follow.

Around 1 million ACCI courses are completed each year, in over 600 jails across the US, and we look forward to working with ACCI to allow them to reach even more people, in a format that will allow learners to work at their own pace, when and where they want.

ACCI’s work has been validated by an impressive series of evidence-based reports and studies, with recidivism rates for the cohorts and periods studied ranging between 5% and 19% (Jails, May-June 2020, p42-3).

Partners

Socrates Software Joins The Corbett Network

 

We are delighted to have joined the Corbett Network. We attended our first meeting last night, Wednesday 23 October, and it was great to speak to so many like-minded people doing great work in helping ex-offenders into employment.

The Corbett Network is a coalition of more than 50 decision-makers of major rehabilitation charities and organisations dedicated to reducing reoffending by supporting people with convictions to find and keep a job. The Network’s stated mission is to bridge the gap from custody to community by improving routes to employment.

Ways to do this include: engaging with employers from a wide spectrum; providing support for self-employment options and entrepreneurial activity; using social networks and media to publicise rehabilitation.

We are excited about the opportunities the Corbett Network can offer for us to work with partners to bring change to the UK justice sector.

For more information, see: https://www.thecorbettnetwork.com/

 

 

 

Innovation

Otago Corrections Facility Begins Graphic Design Trial

 

We have recently launched a trial at Otago Corrections Facility in partnership with Maui Studios to provide graphic design training to prisoners. The programme is aimed at training prisoners to a level where they will be able to achieve employment in the sector.

We provide a bespoke Maui Studios app via Socrates 360, which prisoners access on our locked down tablets.

Facilitators are running sessions where they train prisoners in sketching, colouring and designing using the app, which provides templates and tutorials to teach them how to create their own cartoon figures and, eventually, full graphic novels. We’re excited to see what they come up with!

 

 

 

Media

Socrates 360 Features in ICPA Video

 

Socrates 360 features in the recent International Corrections & Prisons Association (ICPA) current affairs-style programme Prisons: The Last Resort, which explores the challenges caused by growth in prison populations and the solutions being implemented around the world.

Prisons: The Last Resort brings to life innovations, technologies and new approaches in the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintroduction into the community whilst addressing issues such as the security and welfare of offenders. The programme also debates the harmfulness of imprisonment and questions what solutions we might have for the future.

The ICPA has recognised the innovative nature of Socrates 360 and the huge potential benefits it can offer to partners in aiding prisoner rehabilitation. The video segment focuses on our partnership with Storybook Dads, who use Socrates 360 to allow prisoners to record bedtime stories for their children. Watch the segment here:

 

 
 
 

 

 

This film was produced in collaboration with ITN Productions and was launched at the ICPA 2017 annual conference in London.

The ICPA is an international member body for national prison services and companies and professionals working in the sector. Since its inception in 1998, it has organised a number of events and conferences throughout the world, consolidating its status as the only global corrections community. It is a non-governmental organisation, acting in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).