What is the Digital Divide for Prisoners?

In an increasingly digital world, the ability to access and navigate technology is vital for everyday life, whether it’s applying for jobs, accessing government services, or staying connected with loved ones.

However, for people in prison, digital access and literacy are still far from guaranteed. This gap, known as the digital divide, is where many marginalised groups have become increasingly excluded through a lack of digital access and skills. Among these digitally excluded groups are prisoners, who have little or no access to digital technologies and the internet, which can have serious consequences for rehabilitation, resettlement, and the ability to thrive upon release.

Why digital literacy in prisons matters

Digital literacy isn’t just about knowing how to use a computer or smartphone. It’s about how to interact with the modern world, from accessing benefits and housing services online to managing personal finances and engaging with education or work opportunities. For people in prison, especially those serving longer sentences, technology may have advanced far beyond what they were used to before their sentence began.

Over the past few years, it has become clear that digital literacy is now fundamental to the successful rehabilitation of learners and improve their chances of finding jobs upon release. Though the number of prisoners finding jobs within 6 weeks of release has gone up since 2023, it’s still less than 20% and strengthening prisoners’ digital skills could be helpful to ensure that this keeps on going up.

At Novus we are dedicated to ensure that all learners are equipped with essential digital skills so that they're not at a digital disadvantage. We recognise the importance of digital literacy and in order for learners to integrate back into society (after all, 82% of jobs in the UK ask for some level of digital skills), it is vital that we provide them the opportunity to gain and expand their skills in digital.

Improving digital technology in prisons

Over the past few years, there have been growing calls to modernise the digital infrastructure in UK prisons. Some progress has been made such as the rollout of in-cell laptops or tablets in certain establishments, and the introduction of secure learning platforms but access remains inconsistent.

Novus is among the organisations working to bring meaningful digital learning into prisons, using secure platforms that allow learners to access educational resources, build skills, and prepare for life beyond custody. However, real change requires a system-wide approach that ensures technology is integrated safely and effectively across the prison estate.

How digital literacy links to AI in prisons

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more embedded in everyday systems, from job applications to online learning platforms, understanding digital tools is becoming even more essential. AI-driven tools are already being explored within the justice sector for case management, predictive analysis, and personalised education.

For learners, this means that future job markets will demand even higher levels of digital competence. Without access to digital training, prisoners’ risk being locked out of the very systems designed to help them reintegrate.

Equipping people in custody with digital skills also helps ensure that AI is used ethically and inclusively, by empowering individuals to understand, question, and engage with these technologies. Novus has embraced the rise of AI with our Digital Strategy to improve learning, build digital skills, and use AI in the classroom.

Enhancing AI skills at HMP Preston

At HMP Preston, learners on the Business Enterprise course have been developing their digital literacy skills through a blended learning approach that combines face-to-face teaching with AI-powered online activities.

Using prompt sheets and AI tools like TeacherMatic, students engage with expert-generated responses such as financial advice from simulated figures like Bill Gates, which enhances their research, critical thinking, and reading skills. This interactive method fosters deeper understanding, encourages independent learning, and promotes lively classroom discussions. Both teachers and learners report increased engagement and a positive learning environment, highlighting the value of integrating AI to prepare inmates for modern digital demands.

Using AI to enhance reading skills at HMP Humber

At HMP Humber, AI tools like TeacherMatic are being used to enhance reading and writing skills among learners by engaging them in interactive storytelling and tailored reading comprehension activities. For example, during World Book Day, inmates collaboratively created and edited a fictional story using AI-generated prompts, fostering critical thinking and digital literacy.

Teachers report that these AI tools increase engagement by allowing content to be customized to learners’ interests and levels, helping develop both reading skills and confidence with digital technologies, demonstrating the vital role of digital innovation in modern prison education.

Why digital access still isn’t equal for prisoners

Despite policy ambitions, digital access in prisons remains patchy. Security concerns, infrastructure limitations, and public perceptions can all contribute to delays or resistance in providing digital access.

This inequality is particularly stark when compared to the general population, where internet access and digital skills are often taken for granted. The gap is even wider for older prisoners or those with limited previous exposure to technology. Bridging this divide is not only a matter of fairness, it’s a matter of future-readiness and public safety.

Why bridging the digital skills gap matters

The digital skills gap in prisons is not just a technical issue, it’s a social justice issue. People in custody are entitled to rehabilitation, and in this modern world, that means having the tools to navigate a digital society.

By closing the digital divide, we can:

• Support smoother resettlement and reintegration
• Reduce reoffending through meaningful education and employment
• Ensure equality of access to essential services
• Empower individuals to participate in a digital economy

At Novus we play a crucial role in delivering digital education that is both safe and transformative. By embedding digital literacy into prison education, we can unlock new opportunities for people who want to rebuild their lives.

The digital divide for prisoners is real and it matters. As the world moves forward with new technologies, we must ensure that people in custody are not left behind. From basic digital literacy to understanding the role of AI, equipping prisoners with digital skills is essential for rehabilitation, resettlement, and a fairer society.

Now is the time to invest in digital inclusion in prisons so that every individual has a chance to succeed in a digital future.

To find out more about our digital provision, take a look at the digital section on our website.