Digital Justice: Accessibility Factors of Smartphone Apps for Criminal Legal System-Involved People

Digital technologies, particularly apps, are increasingly used to support criminal legal system-involved people (CLSIP). However, research on CLSIP's access to smartphones, data, and digital skills is limited. Our mixed methodology study, involving 41 CLSIP in Wales, UK, explored smartphone and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Morgan, Gemma (Author)
Contributors: Smith, Lindsay R. ; Walker, Charlotte ; Taxman, Faye S. 1955-
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: The prison journal
Year: 2025, Volume: 105, Issue: 2, Pages: 131-151
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
digital justice
digital competency
Inequality
Accessibility
apps
Digital technology
Description
Summary:Digital technologies, particularly apps, are increasingly used to support criminal legal system-involved people (CLSIP). However, research on CLSIP's access to smartphones, data, and digital skills is limited. Our mixed methodology study, involving 41 CLSIP in Wales, UK, explored smartphone and app usage via observations and a survey. Findings reveal multifaceted barriers ranging from affordability, digital competency, literacy, and trust issues. The article advocates for training to enhance digital skills, subsidized access to smartphones/data, and the co-production of apps to improve accessibility for CLSIP. It outlines directions for future research, policy, and practice to support the digital inclusion of CLSIP.
ISSN:1552-7522
DOI:10.1177/00328855241309106