Development of a new application to strengthen crime-reducing program effects among offenders in the community

Purpose and goal

The aim has been to, through methodological development, come up with an easy- to- use individual support for probation clients in order to reduce the risk of recidivism. Complex treatment components and exercises have been developed and adapted to be implemented in an application for smart phones. The support will contribute to increased attendance on mandatory meetings with reminders and calendar function as well as increased treatment doses in the form of KBT-based exercises. A pilot version has been tested by 19 probation clients and 11 probation officers.

Expected results and effects

The pilot study shows that both clients and probation officers perceive the support as helpful and easy-to-use. The clients are able to do exercises on their own between mandatory meetings. The majority of both probation officers and clients report that they want to continue to use the support and that they would recommend it to others. Linking the application to the administrative systems has been resource intensive due to high security requirements. However, other innovations are also benefiting from this extensive development.

Planned approach and implementation

The work has been conducted in a project format with two levels of steering groups, both tactical and operational and a reference group that has been active throughout the whole process. Several challenges have been addressed during the course of the project such as security requirements and how to handle personal data. Linking the app with the Prison and Probation client system in order to get the schedule function and reminders automatically will be implemented in a follow-up project.