Speakers
Parallel Workshops
The challenges presented by the pandemic, and the resulting lockdowns over the past couple of years, have exposed the fragility and vulnerabilities of mainstream systems and practices across many industries, including the community corrections sector. Responding to the challenges required innovation, agility and collaboration, delivering results that would have been previously unimaginable. Coming through the pandemic we have had a two-year lesson in change management, including a fast track into the digital age.
There are many examples of how technology-enabled effective change in response to pandemic-related challenges, both in the prison environment and community corrections. An excellent example of service transformation is the story of how the Ramsey County Community Corrections team, based in Minnesota USA implemented remote supervision
In a series of blogs published on APPA Connect, Jason Mereness tells us that in March 2020 their traditional operating model of supervision through in-person meetings was significantly disrupted as their offices had to close due to social distancing measures. In response, they decided to instantly transform their department’s probation practices from traditional in-person meetings to almost exclusively remote supervision and services relying on video and phone communications.
Two years on, Ramsey County has successfully transformed their operating model. They have introduced more contact options for their clients and improved flexibility and working conditions for staff by embedding remote supervision and services practices in their work.
An interesting aspect of this story is the response to the change. Mereness followed up on his team’s digital transformation experience with some research, (supported by Adriana Ace, a colleague from the Research and Evaluation Unit) in which they got feedback from both probation colleagues and service clients.
into contributing members of society. The company is deeply passionate about driving this positive change and its mission is to transform lives together.
Patricia brings over 20 years of Prison technology experience and success to the company. She has worked with a wide range of Prison and Correctional Services Agencies around the world. Patricia is an international speaker on Corrections Technology and has been invited to present at industry forums including the ACA Congress of Corrections (American Correctional Association) the Inter Prison Service Security Group (Her Majesty’s Prison Service, UK) and APPA (American Probation and Parole Association).
Patricia has authored numerous publications in the Corrections, Technology and Biometric fields. Patricia served on the Skills for Security Consultation Group for Biometrics and Human Identity contributing to the development of national occupational standards for the industry. Patricia is currently an active member of the APPA technology committee.
From 2011 – 2017 Patricia served on the Economic Advisory Group (EAG), providing independent advice to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and she is currently a member of Matrix, the industry panel informing government, industry and academia on the commercial exploitation of R&D and science and technology. Patricia was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2013 Royal New Year Honours list for services to the Northern Ireland Economy. In 2022 Patricia was awarded the Outstanding Woman in Tech by Women in Tech Northern Ireland.