Linux finds a role in Australian prison cells

Stephen Withers
Friday, 29 May 2009 12:35

Business IT - Open Source

'Lights out' can be enforced via scheduled shutdown, and if necessary for disciplinary reasons, a PC in a cell can be remotely disabled. According to Ron Fabre, PrisonPC product manager at Cybersource, this is a major benefit for custodial staff as they do not need to enter the cell of a potentially violent prisoner to withdraw the privilege.

"PrisonPC was selected by the ACT correctional facility because of its unparalleled combination of physical and software security attributes," said Fabre.

"Correctional facilities have known for a long time that computers are an excellent tool for prisoner rehabilitation and therefore in the reduction of recidivism. PrisonPC provides an optimal platform for education, offering the delivery of training through video tuition and business desktop applications. Cybersource PrisonPC helps prisoners improve their chances in the real world", he added.

According to Fabre, the cost of keeping people in prison is so high that a complete PrisonPC installation can pay for itself by helping to rehabilitate just one prisoner.

This is the second PrisonPC installation. 130 units were previously rolled out at the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Melbourne, but that used an earlier and less capable version of the software.

Both the Melbourne and ACT centres plan to install additional units during the next financial year.

A third rollout is underway at an undisclosed location.