Virtual worlds and criminal justice reform

[BlueWings Hayek]

I have been working with incarcerated youth for over five years as a public librarian. I am able to work with a group of youthful offenders using Teen Second Life. My hope is that when they leave the facility, they will continue being able to access the virtual world and develop their skills and online partnerships they began while starting the project inside the facility and mentor their peers on how to interact in the environment as well. I think it is important that those in facilities closed off to the rest of the world, can find positive ways to interact online as they are developing skills they will likely need to have when they exit the center such as communicating with a diverse set of people, knowing they can control their environment when things may seem out of control, and working in teams to make a difference.

What role might virtual worlds play in developing a more sustainable model of criminal justice reform and how do we make a case that access is important to these populations?

[BlueWings Hayek]

The youth completed a digital literary media survey before entering the program. Most answers seemed to indicate that they had gamed before. Whether or not they consider themselves, 'gamers', I don't know. They also indicated that they felt confident in teaching themselves new things on a computer by playing around with it and seeing what happens and that they are comfortable in working with others in regards to using digital media. As far as if this is good for them or me, I guess only time will tell. How does one measure 'good'? I would imagine if this knowledge, these partnerships, and their skills take them to different opportunities as well as allow other facilities to participate in a similar endeavor, then that would be good.

[Birdie Newborn]

Good for you -- and apparently good for the youth too. I'm curious about how computer-literate the youth were. Gamers? Nerds? Or learning everything as they go?

[BlueWings Hayek]

It is helpful, yes. They also blog and I'm trying to get them to podcast what they are learning so far. Using a virtual world (as we all know) is just one part in connecting with others. We usually use other means as well and the more they can be exposed to that, the better I think.

[Ian Warren]

Thanks for that - satisfied my curiosity - I imagine the 1:1; 1:2 ratios are actually necessary in any event to educate the young people you are dealing with on how to use SL

[BlueWings Hayek]

Hi, good question. In my case, I have a librarian that I work with at the facility who felt that the security measures that were able to be put in place by Second Life (i.e., closing of the island during the workshop) and the fact that we would have a ration of 1:1 or 1:2 with staff and incarcerated youth while on the Internet was enough to go forth with the project. There are very tight restrictions on Internet access as well in the states for incarcerated youth.

[Ian Warren]

I am interested in finding out how you managed to encourage the 'powers that be' to allow those young people you are dealing with to have internet access. Here in Australia there are very tight restrictions on internet access for incarcerated young people and adults, mainly due to security fears. So I am curious as to how that hurdle was negotiated in your case.