Smart prison system managed by the Legal Register Centre attracts global interest

Doris is already in use at the closed Finnish prisons in Hämeenlinna and Pyhäselkä, and will be introduced at the Kylmäkoski Prison in the autumn of 2023.

The restricted system can be used on, for example, a computer located in a prison cell. It allows prisoners to complete their studies and make appointments with the authorities, among other tasks. Using the system improves the digital skills of prisoners, which will be needed to function as part of society and to re-enter working life.

The Legal Register Centre was responsible for the acquisition of the system for the needs of the Prison and Probation Service of Finland. The Legal Register Centre agreed on the delivery of the customised system with Gerdes, the German company that was awarded the public contract, in 2020.

"The special user group set very specific requirements for the procurement project and the system in terms of the features and the prevention of misuse", says Pekka Isola, the Legal Register Centre's IT Specialist.

Feedback from prisoners and prison staff was also taken into account when designing the solution. "The end result is an easy-to-use system that has raised the level of prisoners' digital rehabilitation services to a good level", says Pia Puolakka, who was in charge of the Smart Prison project in the Prison and Probation Service of Finland.

The end result is good value for money, and the system is easy to develop further. Puolakka says that the system is used to regularly collect digital feedback from staff and prisoners. The users find the system easy to use.

System reforms entire prison concept

Doris provides enormous social, economic and environmental benefits to the operation of prisons. For example, the limited email feature reduces the amount of paper mail and the possibility to use the system reduces the need to print and transport paper forms. The supervised video call feature reduces the number of staff members needed for physical visits and allows prisoners to have secure and flexible meetings with their loved ones via the restricted internet connection.
Beyond the technical features of the system, it is a question of changing the prison culture. Finnish law has made this development possible.

As far as Pia Puolakka knows, Finland is the only country with an Imprisonment Act that mentions the possibility of prisoners using the internet, video calls and email.

Developed in Finland, the smart prison system has raised global attention, and it has already been introduced in several countries.

In Finland, the aim is to introduce Doris in all the country's 15 closed prisons.

"In the modern digital society, people cannot function and exercise their rights without functional, real-time digital connections, services and skills. They must also be available to prisoners, who are often in a marginal position," says Puolakka.

Pekka Isola adds that the Legal Register Centre is the developer of digitalisation and the ICT procurement unit for the administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice in Finland. Such projects are one way of promoting the efficiency and security of society.

At the beginning of 2023, ownership of the system was transferred to Telio, an international supplier of prison systems. As the party that placed an order for the system, the Legal Register Centre will continue with its development and continued implementation together with the Prison and Probation Service of Finland, Government ICT Centre Valtori and the system supplier.

Doris and cell computers were first introduced through the Smart Prison project of the Prison and Probation Service of Finland at the Hämeenlinna Prison .

Further information:

Pekka Isola, IT Specialist
Legal Register Centre
pekka.isola(a)om.fi

Pia Puolakka, Smart Prison project manager
Prison and Probation Service of Finland
pia.puolakka(a)om.fi

Image: Developed in Finland, the system enables the use of digital services in prisons. The Legal Register Centre and the Prison and Probation Service of Finland will continue with the development of Doris. Stock photo by Adobe Stock.