innovative . As an example , before the pandemic loved ones could visit inmates , which was no longer possible due to isolation and social distancing protocols .
“ To ensure families and friends remained connected , a critical ingredient to successful reintegration , we increased our video visitation usage by 300 %. Similarly , we expanded our telemedicine program across Canada , to provide both virtual physical and mental health services to offenders , while respecting public health guidelines ,” Bonk explained .
Not only did the organisation expand its use of video visitation and telemedicine programs to allow for the continuation of institutional services for offenders , but they also introduced a Virtual Correctional Program Delivery Model to support the rehabilitation of offenders by ensuring access to correctional programming anywhere , at any time .
“ We were still trying to give them their rehabilitative programming to ensure their success when they are released ,” said Bonk
“ To do this , we had to increase our bandwidth and review our network infrastructure to facilitate our need for virtual services for offenders , but also for our staff ,” he added .
However , this is a small drop in the ocean compared to what CSC could be doing with its adoption of digital technology . Describing the institutions as “ small cities ”, Bonk said : “ Corrections agencies are similar to small cities , with an interconnected web of services and technologies . We have education , we have health , we have libraries , all of the things that a small city has to deal with . We need to look at all of our services and solutions holistically , to ensure we are able to realise all of the benefits of modernisation , without missing opportunities or implementing incompatible technologies or processes .”
Overcoming challenges in the adoption of emerging technologies While the pandemic provided an opportunity for CSC to reimagine how it operated and delivered programs and services , it also highlighted some of the new correctional business capabilities that are required to modernise and adapt in a constantly changing environment . In order to modernise effectively , Bonk said
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