Speakers
Ashwini Jarral
Parallel Workshops
Corrections and Prison systems continue to face significant pressure from rising inmate populations, staffing shortages, increasing mental health needs, operational complexity, security risks, and budget constraints. Many jurisdictions are exploring opportunities to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) within operations to improve safety, efficiency, rehabilitation outcomes, and decision-making. However, with opportunity comes risks. Beyond the obvious risks of bias, opacity and lack of accountability, lie other largely unexplored risks of dehumanizing corrections, operational deskilling of staff and security breaches (by external actors or by inmates). However, the true risk is not AI, but how correctional leaders and systems shape the use of this technology within operations.
This interactive presentation will combine the experience of the IJIS Institute and the International Center for Criminal law reform and Criminal Justice Policy to propose a [TH3.1][AJ3.2] balanced framework for integrating AI into corrections and prisons operations to mitigate potential risks while preserving the essential role of correctional professionals, administrators, healthcare staff, and policymakers.
Ashwini Jarral currently serves as the senior advisor at the IJIS Institute and is the founder of The Center of Excellence (COE) on Artificial Intelligence for Justice, Public Safety, and Security. The COE provides expertise on the responsible, legal, and ethical use of AI. Mr. Jarral also provides advisory services for non-profit and not-for-profit organizations to help advise them on digital transformation strategies.
Prior to his current role, Jarral was the co-founder of an innovative healthcare technology company, IDYA4, serving as the Chief Operating Officer before the acquisition of IDYA4 by CloudMD in 2021.
Prior to IDYA4, Jarral served as the Executive Director (CEO) of the IJIS Institute, a nonprofit corporation formed by the U.S. Department of Justice, to help state and local governments develop ways to share information among disciplines engaged in homeland security, justice, and public safety.
Jarral has been recognized nationally, and internationally for his work in information sharing since the tragic event of 9/11. In addition to the Justice and Public Safety sector, he also worked in the private sector providing professional technology services and solutions in finance and telecommunications.
Jarral has published numerous articles, white papers, and reports on technology standards, interoperability, and information sharing. He has played a key role in developing various information-sharing standards.
Jarral holds a B.S. in Decision Science and Management Information Systems (DMIS) and a M.S. in Management Information Systems. He is a Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) and Six Sigma Green Belt Certified Professional
Terry Hackett is an internationally recognized expert in prison reform, detention governance, prison infrastructure, and rule of law based criminal justice systems. He is a Senior Associate with the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy and co-founder and principal of Praesora Consulting, advising governments and international organizations on prison reform, detention standards, infrastructure planning, leadership, and institutional governance.
From 2018 to 2025, Terry served with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), most recently as Head of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Unit in Geneva. In this role he led the development of global policy and operational practice for ICRC work across prison, police, military, and migration detention systems in more than 75 countries. He oversaw multidisciplinary programs addressing prison management, detention governance, prison infrastructure, and detention conditions, and led ICRC thought leadership on prison planning and design and the responsible use of technology in custodial environments.
In addition to this global leadership role, Terry conducted operational missions and technical engagements in more than 20 countries, working with governments, justice ministries, and correctional authorities to translate international standards into practical reforms. Earlier in his career, Terry spent 22 years with Correctional Service of Canada, including as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Correctional Operations (Pacific Region), and served as Canada’s senior correctional official in Afghanistan supporting national correctional reform efforts.
Terry holds graduate degrees in international law and human security and is a frequent speaker and author on prison reform, detention governance, and correctional leadership.