Lithuania to launch prison self-service system for inmates

Lithuania is introducing a modern information system across its prisons, allowing inmates to submit requests and access services through self-service tools, LRT reported.

The system will store all information about each inmate in one place. Inmates will be able to submit complaints and requests, view court rulings and access information needed for shopping.

The system, known as KADIS-2, is expected to operate at full capacity in the fourth quarter. Kaunas Prison and units of the Lithuanian Prison Service will be the first to use it, while all other prisons will begin adopting it gradually from October.

Lithuanian Prison Service director Mindaugas Kairys said the technological change had been prepared for almost three years. He said improved access to information, digitised processes and self-service options would save time for prison staff, other institutions and inmates’ relatives, while reducing the risk of errors.

Currently, inmates can submit complaints only in handwriting. An officer then physically collects them and enters the information into the system. Entering one complaint can take up to seven minutes, not including the time needed to collect it, and a staff member may sometimes be responsible for up to 20 complaints a day.

The new system will also speed up checks on whether an inmate is eligible for a short-term leave. It will prevent the procedure from being started if the necessary conditions are not met.

Inmates will be able to log in and submit or receive information without staff intervention. The prison service said officers would be able to use the time saved for direct work with inmates.

Employers will enter work schedules into the system for inmates who leave prison to work. Officers will be able to check the schedules at any time, while employers will provide information on the hours actually worked.

Shopping information will also be moved to the self-service system. Instead of finance staff manually checking an inmate’s account balance and preparing an individual response, inmates will be able to shop for permitted products according to the money available in their accounts and the conditions of their imprisonment.

The system will also be available to inmates’ relatives and cooperating institutions, including police and lawyers. Relatives will be able to use electronic services to apply for visits. At present, they must go to the prison in person and wait for a response, sometimes requiring two visits.

The planned cost of developing and implementing KADIS-2 was 4.7 million euros. Following public procurement, the prison service said 35,000 euros was saved. The system was developed and installed by Asseco Lietuva and Insoft.

Lithuania has about 4,550 inmates and 2,488 prison service employees.