I've been following the recent news about Palantir's conversations with Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to develop AI monitoring tools for ex-offenders, and I can't help but feel deeply concerned about the direction we're heading.
As someone passionate about effective criminal justice reform, I believe we're approaching this challenge from the wrong angle. Surveillance and control, whether through physical walls or AI algorithms, don't address the fundamental issues that lead to criminal behaviour. We're essentially creating an electronic prison system that mirrors the limitations and failures of traditional incarceration.
Here's what particularly worries me: these AI monitoring systems risk becoming just another tool in an already overly punitive system. Ex-offenders, like any humans facing surveillance, will likely learn to present what the AI "wants to hear" rather than engaging in genuine rehabilitation. We're incentivizing compliance over actual change.
What we really need is a completely different approach to AI in criminal justice. Imagine AI systems developed collaboratively by ex-offenders, people with lived experience, and criminology experts. These systems would focus on peer support rather than punishment – creating a digital environment where individuals feel safe seeking help without fear of surveillance or repercussions.
Think about it: when we're struggling, we turn to trusted peers who understand our challenges and can offer practical, empathetic advice. Why not build AI tools that embody these same principles? Tools that treat users as individuals worthy of support rather than subjects to be monitored?
The reality is that electronic monitoring, whether through traditional ankle tags or sophisticated AI, is just as ineffective as physical incarceration if our goal is genuine rehabilitation. We need to shift our resources and innovation toward addressing the root causes of crime and supporting sustainable paths to recovery.
What are your thoughts on AI Surveillance in Criminal Justice? How can we better harness technology to support rather than surveil those working to rebuild their lives?