Abstract
The Launchpad programme is delivering in-cell technology to public prisons across the English and Welsh estate. Through the ‘Content Hub’, it provides prisoners with access to ‘digital transactional services’, educational resources, rehabilitative resources, information about the prison and wellbeing content. Since 2017, Launchpad has been rolled out into 20 prisons across England and Wales.
This research seeks to explore and identify the research opportunities for the Launchpad programme going forward, drawing on consultation with two key cohorts: Digital Orderlies and men and women serving long sentences (defined as having served ten years or more in custody). Digital Orderlies are peer supporters who are selected to assist others in using prisoner-facing digital technology—particularly laptops and kiosks—within the prison environment. This role is part of the broader Launchpad digital service initiative and is designed to promote digital literacy, accessibility, and self-service among prisoners. People serving long sentences have been identified as particularly at risk of digital exclusion, as their lack of access to technology in custody leaves them unprepared for the digital world to which they will be released. The roll out of in-prison technology has the potential to improve their digital literacy and digital confidence, and therefore their digital inclusion on release.
This research seeks to support the ongoing roll-out and evaluation of the Launchpad programme. It also provides user insights that enable HMPPS and MoJ to continue to develop and improve Launchpad in line with its evidence-informed and user-centric design principles. We do this by setting out our findings across six themes:
1. Digital literacy and digital confidence;
2. Digital apathy and digital resistance;
3. Developing and recognising the role of Digital Orderlies;
4. The development of digital content;
5. Opportunities and barriers for prisoners’ relationships and connections;
6. The role of the Digital and Communications Manager (DCM) in a digital prison.
This research seeks to explore and identify the research opportunities for the Launchpad programme going forward, drawing on consultation with two key cohorts: Digital Orderlies and men and women serving long sentences (defined as having served ten years or more in custody). Digital Orderlies are peer supporters who are selected to assist others in using prisoner-facing digital technology—particularly laptops and kiosks—within the prison environment. This role is part of the broader Launchpad digital service initiative and is designed to promote digital literacy, accessibility, and self-service among prisoners. People serving long sentences have been identified as particularly at risk of digital exclusion, as their lack of access to technology in custody leaves them unprepared for the digital world to which they will be released. The roll out of in-prison technology has the potential to improve their digital literacy and digital confidence, and therefore their digital inclusion on release.
This research seeks to support the ongoing roll-out and evaluation of the Launchpad programme. It also provides user insights that enable HMPPS and MoJ to continue to develop and improve Launchpad in line with its evidence-informed and user-centric design principles. We do this by setting out our findings across six themes:
1. Digital literacy and digital confidence;
2. Digital apathy and digital resistance;
3. Developing and recognising the role of Digital Orderlies;
4. The development of digital content;
5. Opportunities and barriers for prisoners’ relationships and connections;
6. The role of the Digital and Communications Manager (DCM) in a digital prison.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Ministry of Justice, London |
| Commissioning body | Ministry of Justice |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
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