Parallel Workshops
How can artificial intelligence support safer, more efficient and more rehabilitative correctional systems — without compromising legal, ethical or human rights standards?
This presentation explores lessons from Austrian multi-sector security research projects. These projects bring together TU Wien, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Finance, industry partners and social science expertise to develop AI-supported solutions for correctional and justice-related environments.
Rather than presenting AI as a standalone technology, the session focuses on how collaborative partnerships can turn innovation into practical, trusted and implementable solutions. Drawing on concrete project experience, it will show how secure digital communication, multilingual speech recognition, automated transcription, intelligent monitoring, interoperable information systems and video analytics can reduce workload, improve information availability and support consistent decision-making.
The session will also address the conditions that make such innovation possible: early practitioner involvement, clear governance and data-sharing frameworks, legal and ethical oversight, social-scientific evaluation and long-term cooperation between public authorities, research institutions and industry.
Participants will gain insight into a practical partnership model for responsible AI in correctional settings, aligned with the conference theme of partnerships in a modern corrections landscape. The session will show how collaboration between public authorities, academia, industry and social science partners can strengthen operational capacity, support evidence-informed practice, improve information sharing and help correctional systems respond to growing complexity. It will be relevant for practitioners, policymakers, researchers and technology partners interested in digital transformation, correctional innovation, institutional trust and responsible AI in sensitive justice environments.
Martin Kampel is a Professor at TU Wien’s Computer Vision Lab, where he leads applied research at the intersection of computer vision, machine learning, and real-world societal challenges. His work spans ambient assisted living, cultural heritage, surveillance, robotics, trustworthy AI, 3D vision, and behaviour analysis. With more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, he has contributed extensively to international research in computer vision and has helped translate academic innovation into deployable technologies, including through entrepreneurial and industry-facing initiatives.
In the justice and security domain, Professor Kampel has played a leading role in Austrian KIRAS-funded research projects that bring together academia, public authorities, industry, and social science partners. These collaborations focus on responsible AI-supported solutions for correctional environments, including secure digital communication, multilingual speech recognition, automated transcription, intelligent monitoring, interoperable information systems, and video analytics. His work emphasises not only technical innovation, but also implementation readiness, legal and ethical compliance, user acceptance, and measurable operational impact in highly sensitive institutional settings.
Dr. Ralph Hammer is Head of the Staff Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance. In this role, he is responsible for Austria’s major security and defence research funding programmes, including KIRAS, FORTE, and, since 2023, the cybersecurity research programme K-PASS. He also represents Austria as delegation lead to the EU security research programme “Civil Security for Society” within Horizon Europe.
With a background in law and international law, Dr. Hammer brings long-standing expertise in European and international security research policy. His work focuses on connecting public authorities, research organisations, industry, and end-users to develop practical, responsible, and innovation-driven solutions for contemporary security challenges. He has also served as a national expert at the European Commission on security within the EU’s 7th Framework Programme, further strengthening his role as a bridge between Austrian and European security research communities.
Andreas Bednarek is a representative of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice with experience in justice-sector practice and the implementation of innovation in correctional environments. In the context of Austrian security research projects, he contributes the institutional and operational perspective of the justice system, helping to ensure that AI-supported solutions are aligned with practical correctional needs, legal requirements and public-sector responsibilities. His work supports collaboration between justice authorities, research institutions and technology partners to develop solutions that are responsible, implementable and relevant for modern correctional practice.
The Austrian Ministry of Justice includes the General Directorate for the Prison System and the Execution of Measures Involving Deprivation of Liberty, which is the relevant organisational context for correctional-system work.
