Many of us will struggle to remember what life was like back in 1996. Technology has changed so much and so quickly, that it’s almost impossible to remember a time when you couldn’t reach out to anyone with a few taps or find whatever resources you need from a computer or smartphone within seconds.
I do remember a time before there was instant connection. After serving more than 15 years of a life sentence for a crime that I didn’t commit, I returned to a world that had been forever changed by technology. As a result, release was nothing like the homecoming I had imagined while incarcerated, and
more like the reality of being transported into the future through a time machine. The prison environment I knew had limited connections, which meant limited access to information, other than a small TV in my cell. There were no real-time connections with loved ones. My only source of communication with friends and family on the outside were monthly letters that often took weeks to arrive.
The journey from incarceration back to society known as reentry is an arduous one. Based on my experience, individuals returning home face a multitude of challenges from securing housing and employment to navigating complex social systems. On top of that is the gap in digital literacy that requires education to keep up with even the simplest digitized tasks. For example, before I entered prison, I bought almost everything with cash or checks. By the time I left, everything was done by credit or debit cards, and I had no idea how to use one. Not to mention, a majority of employers required me to complete an application or submit one online.
When I was first released, I started working as a truck driver. It was nice to be on the road away from my concerns. However, my friends who were also justice-impacted reached out to me often with questions about how to navigate their lives on the outside. I ultimately made the decision to come back to Arizona and have mentored thousands of individuals with criminal records since. The feedback I hear over and over is that the most daunting aspect of release may be the sheer isolation the feeling of being cut off from the support networks that are critical for successful reintegration.
This is where affordable technology can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the incarcerated and their communities. I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology in reentry. Individuals who were previously isolated are not only able to stay connected to their community, but they can also get their hands on crucial information about housing, health care, and employment opportunities preparing them to come home even before stepping foot outside.
Today, thanks to partnerships between organizations like the Arizona Department of Corrections and Aventiv Technologies, affordable tablets equipped with phone call, video streaming, and e-messaging apps are becoming a game-changer for those looking to maintain connections with their loved ones outside.
Imagine the stress of someone who has spent years, or even decades, in incarceration, feeling isolated from the outside world. With access to technology, they can find comfort in a hearing a familiar voice, or the reassurance of a loved one's face on a screen while incarcerated. These seemingly simple interactions can serve as the cornerstone of stability and the source of initiative to change one’s future, a crucial element in reducing recidivism. Affordable connections, from phone calls to tablets, can provide a lifeline to that support system.
Beyond allowing individuals to stay connected with family and friends, tablets also enable access to vital resources, including eBooks and podcasts, and even participation in educational programs that can lead to two- and four-year degrees. These connections and capabilities are not just a comfort; they are a powerful tool for building a new life.
Understandably, correctional facilities are not designed to make communication easy. There’s the obvious physical separation of living behind walls and bars, but also the lack of investments to upgrade technology that limits external connection leading to a digital divide. With new investments and the advent of security tools that reduce the introduction of contraband and increase safety both inside and outside facilities, more connections through increased access to tablets are becoming common and are a game-changer for incarcerated individuals.
There's a misconception that reentry is a one-time event. The reality is that it's a continuous process, an ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery. As someone directly impacted by the criminal justice system, I understand that the scars of incarceration run deep. Access to connections through technology can help heal those scars, but to truly impact the outcomes of the nearly 35,000 Arizonans currently incarcerated, we need to invest in tools that elevate the voices who need to be heard the most.
My story is a testament to the struggles and opportunities that come with the journey of reentry. By enabling access to affordable technology that allows individuals to stay in touch with the world, we can create an environment that’s both safer and more equitable and put ourselves on a path toward lower recidivism in all our communities.
Khalil Rushdan is the founder of the Arizona Village Network who, it was later determined, was wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit and served more than 15 years of a life sentence.
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