The Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), in collaboration with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), organized the Workshop on Strategic Development for the Use of Digital Rehabilitation in Prisons from 8–9 October 2025 at the Learning Studio 1, TIJ. The workshop aimed to exchange knowledge and experiences on strategies for rehabilitation through digital technology and to support strategic planning for the effective integration
of technology into Thailand’s correctional system.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Chan Wachiradet, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Corrections, who highlighted the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing world driven by digital technology. He emphasized how digital innovation enhances the efficiency of prison management and rehabilitation processes and underlined the need for collaboration among multiple sectors to design rehabilitation programs that respond to individual needs. He also underscored the vital role of correctional officers in advancing
pre-release programs and fostering public understanding of second chances for reintegration into society.
On this occasion, Ms. Chontit Chuenurah, Director of Office for the Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders (TIJ), delivered welcoming remarks, expressing appreciation to UNICRI and the Government of Japan for their continued support. She noted the transformative progress within Thailand’s correctional institutions, which have increasingly applied digital technology across various areas including online family visits, e-learning programs, the classification system co-developed by TIJ and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, and the pilot use of Virtual Reality (VR) in rehabilitation programs. She emphasized that
this workshop serves as an important opportunity to explore the potential use of digital rehabilitation tools that align with the specific needs and context of the Thai correctional system.
Ms. Elena Giovanna Sandrone, a representative from UNICRI, outlined the objectives of the workshop, noting that UNICRI, together with global partners including TIJ and the Department of Corrections, seeks to explore the role of digital technologies such as e-learning platforms, virtual reality, and digital readiness assessments in strengthening rehabilitation and supporting correctional staff in reducing reoffending.
The workshop featured Professor Stuart Ross and Dr. Victoria Knight from UNICRI as facilitators, who shared insights on the fundamental concepts of technology integration in rehabilitation, pre-release preparation, and staff capacity development. The discussions emphasized the importance of ethical digital approaches and digital rights protection to ensure transparency, respect for human dignity, and prevention of digital inequality. The concept of co-production was also highlighted to encourage collaboration among all stakeholders, including correctional officers, experts, technology developers, and people in prisons, in designing, developing, and evaluating digital rehabilitation innovations.
Additionally, Mr. OKA Hideaki, a representative from UNAFEI, shared insights on the use of digital technology in rehabilitation, illustrating the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) in rehabilitating people with substance dependence or aggressive behavior. He presented a pilot project in Namibia, which uses VR simulations to help them practice self-control, integrating VR with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to enhance rehabilitation effectiveness.
This workshop marked another significant step in advancing Thailand’s correctional system into the digital era, with a focus on making digital technology a key tool to support effective rehabilitation. It also served as a platform for knowledge exchange and for fostering collaboration among various sectors to jointly develop digital approaches and strategies tailored to Thailand’s context, thereby promoting the sustainable reintegration of individuals into society.
