Florida USA:
"ICPA Research Award"
The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) provides a forum for criminal justice professionals to join in a dialogue and to share ideas
and practices aimed at advancing professional corrections.
The "ICPA Research Award" for technological advances, was presented to Aims Corporation at the ICPA 5th AGM and Conference, October 2003 at the
Sheraton Convention Centre in Miami.
The ICPA Awards Program recognises outstanding progress and excellence with respect to the mission of the ICPA, particularly those achievements which advance
humanitarian approaches and advance professional corrections.
The Research Award, a very important award for the ICPA recognized a technological advance developed by Consolidated Computer Services for AIMS Corporations
Smartcard based systems at Acacia Prison in Western Australia
This technology provides offenders control over certain aspects of their life in a way that mirrors external society such as purchasing and managing their funds.
The program incorporates 24 touch-screen prisoner ATMs geared for use by individuals with low literacy levels.
In addition, the technology allows for a safe environment within the institutional setting by allowing for control over prisoner movement.
Offenders can make purchases from the canteen via touch-screen ATM access and they can use the Smartcard to access their trust accounts and make fund transfers.
Through the intranet function, prisoners can access prison policies. Finally, the ATMs can be used to make job applications and book appointments.