Collaborative learning in environments with restricted access to the internet: Policies to bridge the digital divide and exclusion in prisons through the development of the skills of inmates

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe deprivation of freedom for the prisoners, involves not only physical isolation, but also digital, which implies a strong isolation particularly painful in an ''information society''. Spanish prison population is deprived of access Internet and all ICT that could contact inmates with outdoor life, this is mainly due to security issues. Not having enough ICT skills is a new cause of social exclusion. The objective of this research was to identify the key issues which should be focused by policy makers to avoid digital divide among prison population. A survey among inmate population in all the five penitentiary centers in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, was undertaken to obtain a sample of 380 inmates. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was carried out to explain prisoners' ICT Skills, in bias to inmate's social skills, general skills and attitude towards collaborative learning. For inmates, who are characterized by their low education level, results shown the relevance of having general and social skills to be able to have more ICT skills. Then, collaborative learning in prison it is shown as a way to bridge both walls: the physical (better reinsertion and no recidivism) and the digital one.

Locked Up and Blocked Out: The Digital Divide for Formerly Incarcerated Women in Canada

“…This response supports examples from the literature which suggest that the digital divide can be a cause of social isolation (Barreiro-Gen andNovo-Corti, 2015, p. 1172), and also that experiencing the digital divide during incarceration can make it more difficult for individuals to re-establish connections upon reentry (Reisdorf & Rikard, 2018, p.1278. The responses from participants A and C suggest that issues of access after incarceration affect women's day-to-day lives in terms of both practical concerns, as well as through the compounding of broader social issues faced by their community.…”

“…Although the above studies describe the emotional impact of the digital divide on incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations, it is also possible to evaluate the day-to-day experience of the digital divide by examining how it can compound other barriers or obstacles faced by this group. In this context, it is useful to understand the typical barriers to reentry that are faced by formerly incarcerated individuals, since many of the practical barriers presented by the digital divide are consistent with the other types of barriers that individuals face when reentering society (Barreiro-Gen & Novo-Corti, 2015;Reisdorf and Jewke's, 2016). O'Brien's 2001) research study specifically examines the major elements to successful reentry for formerly incarcerated women: finding shelter, obtaining employment/legal income, reconstructing connections with others, developing community membership, and identifying consciousness and confidence in self.…”

“…In Canadian prisons and jails, populations are not able to access the internet, and many other essential technologies. Several research studies have examined the impact of the digital divide on incarcerated populations in the United States and other countries around the world (Barreiro-Gen & Novo-Corti, 2015;Reisdorf & Rikard, 2018). This study will expand on the current research by examining the impact of restrictions to internet access in Canadian prisons on the lives of formerly incarcerated women in Canada and, more specifically, how these restrictions affect their ability to reintegrate into society after the period of incarceration.…”

“…Research suggests that, in countries with similar restrictions to internet access within prisons, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations experience social isolation and exclusion as a result of barriers they face to developing digital skills (Barreiro-Gen & Novo-Corti, 2015;Reisdorf & Rikard, 2018). The method of research will be qualitative content analysis, and data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals who have experience with the women's correctional system in Canada.…”

An Overall Picture About Academic Literature Focused on Online Learning in Prison

“…The results show a trend to value rehabilitation policies over punitive policies ADAMS, 2012;BARREIRO-GEN;NOVO-CORTI, 2015;MOREIRA et al, 2017a), even though the discrepancy between discourses and practices is also pointed out (HOPKINS, 2015;CZERNIAWSKi, 2016). Security issues continue to weigh heavily on political decisions, as well on the implementation of practices that underpin the most avant-garde discourses.…”