Jails are increasingly being asked to play a larger role in addressing the needs of individuals in the justice system — particularly through behavioral health and rehabilitative interventions. However, without adequate resources or support, these expectations can create a gap between identifying needs and delivering individualized, evidence-based programming.
Digital tools offer a promising way to close this gap. Brief, modular interventions that are accessible via tablets or kiosks can provide therapeutic benefit even during short jail stays (Moore et al., 2018). These tools allow facilities to deliver evidence-based programming at scale, track progress in real time and equip staff with what they need to make a lasting impact.
The case for digital integration in jails
Jails are often the first place where individuals receive consistent behavioral health services. While jail stays are often short, research shows that well-implemented interventions can still deliver meaningful, lasting impact in reducing recidivism and substance use (Proctor et al., 2012; Moore et al., 2018).
Digital tools like Atlas bridge the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) gap by translating assessments into tailored, engaging programming. These tools support correctional staff by automating elements of case planning and delivering interventions that align with evidence-based practices.
Use of tablets in jails has been shown to increase access to education and behavior change programs, particularly in restrictive housing or short-stay environments (Davis et al., 2016).
Addressing challenges using digital tools
Jail-based challenges addressed by digital interventions include:
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1. Short stays require rapid, flexible interventions 2. Staff turnover & limited programming personnel 3. Excess idle time contributes to facility incidents 4. Budget constraints demand scalable solutions 5. Lack of reentry planning opportunities 6. Increased accountability and reporting |
1. Short stays require rapid, flexible interventions
The challenge
Most jail stays are under 30 days, and many individuals cycle in and out before traditional programming can even begin.
The digital solution
Digital platforms (like Atlas) deliver brief, modular interventions that can be assigned instantly and completed asynchronously — even if someone is only incarcerated for a short time.
A 15-minute digital journaling session on decision-making or impulse control, for example, can occur in the housing unit without necessitating classroom space or a facilitator.
2. Staff turnover & limited programming personnel
The challenge
Jails often lack dedicated clinical or rehabilitative staff, and security staff are stretched thin.
The digital solution
Self-directed tools reduce the burden on staff. Programs like Atlas require minimal oversight and provide dashboards that simplify tracking and compliance monitoring.
With tablets, participants can engage in something productive even when staff are focused on other duties.
3. Excess idle time contributes to facility incidents
The challenge
Individuals without structured activity are more likely to experience frustration, boredom and behavioral issues — leading to infractions, fights and decreased staff and inmate safety.
The digital solution
Tablets with structured, evidence-based content reduce idle time and improve facility safety. Studies show facilities using digital tablets report fewer disciplinary incidents and more positive housing unit behavior.
Facilities that deployed structured tablet programming have reported fewer behavioral incidents in units where participants had access to educational and therapeutic content (LA County Jail 2020 internal program review).
4. Budget constraints demand scalable solutions
The challenge
Many jails can’t afford to bring in multiple outside providers, and group program slots are limited.
The digital solution
Digital tools scale without added staff. Once installed, one license or tablet can serve dozens of individuals per week, making it cost-effective per participant compared to traditional programming.
5. Lack of reentry planning opportunities
The challenge
Many individuals leave jail with no links to services or life skills support.
The digital solution
Atlas and similar platforms include reentry, job readiness, financial literacy and substance use recovery curricula that help build a transition plan before release — which can then be shared with probation or community providers and offer incarcerated individuals actionable next steps.
6. Increased accountability & reporting
The challenge
Administrators are under pressure to demonstrate program impact — to justify funding and accreditation standards, and prepare for audits.
The digital solution
Atlas generates reports on engagement, completion rates and topic focus — helping facilities implement and monitor evidence-based practices while tracking outcomes by demographic, risk level or housing unit.
Summary of challenges and benefits
Reference:
1. Proctor, S. L., Hoffmann, N. G., & Allison, S. (2012). The effectiveness of interactive journaling in reducing recidivism among substance-dependent jail inmates. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 56(2), 317–332.
2. Moore, B. A., Fazzino, T., Garnet, B., Cutter, C. J., & Barry, D. T. (2018). Computer-based interventions for drug use disorders in criminal justice settings: A review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 84, 36–42.
3. Davis, L. M., Bozick, R., Steele, J. L., Saunders, J., & Miles, J. N. (2016). How effective is correctional education? RAND Corporation.
Evidence-based, behavioral health Interactive Journaling® curricula are available digitally on Atlas. Atlas can save staff time while supporting fidelity to evidence-based practices.
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