POLARIS - A Connected Future
for Offender Learning
Rhydian Potter
Tuesday 9 October 2007
There is much good work being
undertaken in Offender Learning
• There is scarcely any aspect of society which does not require computer literacy.
• Denying me the opportunity to practice skills…might be considered short sighted.
• There is nothing that can not be misused. Cars, knives, computers can all be
misused. But they are all part of life and simply need to be managed. Health and
safety is not about preventing people using things; it is about finding safe ways to
use them.
Source: Letters from prisoners requesting access to IT for learning
No man is a prisoner
and nothing else
William Temple
The Current Approach
Education
Education
OLASS
Provider
Education
Prison
OLASS
Provider
Job Search
Prison
Careers Advice
Job search
Careers Advice
Our objective is to help
stakeholders to deliver services
more effectively
• A Joined-up offender network that
– is a Managed, Secure environment
– supports the OLASS Campus Model
– is the standard electronic delivery method
– complements existing provision
– supports Reducing re-offending practitioners
• Current project is a Proof of Concept that
– is designed to gain an understanding of the issues
– has a limited Scope
– will demonstrate that it can be done
The Proposed Approach
Education
OLASS
Provider
Education
OLASS
Provider
Education
Prison
Other
Services
Prison
Careers Advice
Housing
Job Search
Solution Architecture
Service Provider
Service Provider
Service
Service Provider
Service
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Service Provider
Service
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Service Provider
Service
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Service
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Service Provider
Service
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Service routed via
Resettlement
Services Server
Internet
Prison Establishment
Service Management
(Data Centre)
Prison Establishment
Provides secure access to authorised
services only. Manages security and the
delivery of services across the estate.
Firewall
Notebook
Printer
WID
Printer
Internal
Services
VPN Router
VPN Router
Notebook
Notebook
File Server
Local Area Network
Local Area Network (wi-fi)
WID
Security
Server
Training courses or other services to
be delivered internally
Offender
Data Store
Site independent
private data storage
for offenders to save PC Servers
(Citrix)
project work
WID
Internal
Services
VPN Router
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
File Server
File Server
We are taking a pragmatic
approach...
• A National Solution
– Availability across the offender management estate
– Comprehensive solution (future unknown)
– Maximise stakeholder contributions
• With a Focus on Local Needs
– Limit need for technical staff in the prisons
– Should not put additional burden on education staff
– Support not drive the intervention processes
– Helps the individual
The Proof of Concept project
covers seven London Area Prisons
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
HMP Holloway
HMP Pentonville
HMP Brixton
HMP/YOI Feltham
HMP Latchmere House
HMP Belmarsh
Current Status
•
•
•
•
The proof of concept infrastructure is installed
HMP Wormwood Scrubs is piloting the services
Other prisons are planning their approach
Services for the proof of concept are being delivered by:
– learndirect
– Meganexus
– DWP (Jobcentre Plus)
– Leaf Systems
– Clinks
– Starthere
POLARIS Training Room at HMP
Wormwood Scrubs
It’s no use saying “We are doing our
best”. You have got to succeed in
doing what is necessary.
Winston Churchill