Presenter announcement: International AI & Rehabilitation Webinar and Roundtable
We are pleased to announce the list of expert international presenters for the IN-CJ/ Probation Institute webinar.
Chair
Dr Victoria Knight - Associate Professor in the Community and Criminal Justice Division at De Montfort University, who has encouraged us to draw on the experience and insight of colleagues across the IN-CJ Network.
Presenters
Dr Bianca Reisdorf - Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Dr Reisdorf's work focuses on the intersection of inequalities and digital media and the Internet, with a focus on digital inequalities among marginalized populations. In her recent research, Dr. Reisdorf has been focusing on internet access in correctional settings and how returning citizens navigate a technology-dependent world after release.
Dr Carolyn McKay (presenting online) - Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney Law School. She is author of The Pixelated Prisoner: Prison video links, court ‘appearance’ and the justice matrix (2018, Routledge) and currently undertaking the Australian Government funded Digital Criminal Justice Project: Vulnerability and the Digital Subject (2021-2024)
Dr Sarah Ellison Davies - Research Director (Breaking Free Online) Glyn Davies - Service Director Digital, substance misuse, addiction, justice (Breaking Free Online)
Breaking Free Online is a comprehensive digital treatment and recovery programme that allows people to recognise and address the psychological and lifestyle issues that are driving their use of alcohol and/or drugs, so helping them to conquer their dependence once and for all.
In addition to the presenters, registered attendees will be able to listen in advance of the webinar to a short series of international podcasts introducing topics central to the webinar. You can listen to Dr Victoria Knight talking about the webinar and her work here.
Conference brief
The International Network for Criminal Justice, working in partnership with the Probation Institute, will be hosting an international online webinar and follow-on discussion events focused on the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in rehabilitation.
Across probation, prisons, and community justice settings, digital tools and AI are increasingly shaping how rehabilitation is delivered, assessed, and supported. These developments raise important questions for people working directly with individuals under supervision. How can technology support, rather than undermine, human relationships and professional judgement? What does good, inclusive practice look like when digital systems are involved? And how can practitioners and policymakers feel confident about using new tools responsibly and ethically?
The upcoming events are designed to be practical and accessible. They will focus on real-world experience, emerging practice, and shared challenges, rather than technical detail. Particular attention will be given to inclusion and fairness, including respect for ethnic diversity, gender, and neurodiversity. A key aim is to demystify AI and digital rehabilitation, and to create space for open discussion about what is working, what is uncertain, and what support practitioners may need.
The programme will include short introductory podcast conversations with contributors, a live international webinar, and a follow-up round-table discussion held a few weeks later. The round-table will reflect on the issues raised during the webinar and explore next steps, with the intention of producing a short position paper capturing key themes and learning.
Book your place
International webinar
Tuesday 10 February at 16.00 UK time
International roundtable discussion
Tuesday 17 March at 16.00 UK time