Formerly Incarcerated People Detail Tech Needs for Parole

Thirty-one formerly incarcerated people detailed their experiences with parole and envisioned technologies to support preparation, according to a new survey. Participants, who were not asked about dismantling the prison system, instead focused on tools that would help them navigate its power structures. They expressed a need for technologies that translate complex parole concepts into accessible language and document personal growth in ways parole boards recognize.

The survey revealed participants also value resources that acknowledge the support families provide throughout the parole process. Researchers found these perspectives suggest a demand for technologies built to foster strategic agency.

The study challenges assumptions about how formerly incarcerated individuals view technology, framing it less as a tool for systemic change and more as a means to effectively engage with existing carceral systems. Researchers propose refocusing the development of computational tools for parole toward human-centered systems that support individuals navigating these structures.