Prison breakthrough use of information systems in correctional facilities

Abstract

There is a consensus among researchers that information systems brought and continue to bring a fourth revolution in organisations around the world. These systems made an immense contribution by incorporating various functions into one system, thus enhancing the capabilities of organisations with minimum work effort. Correctional facilities have also made the break to add information systems in prisons for better decision-making. This study utilised literature review to critically examine the use of information systems within the correctional facilities in African countries with a view to determine how the resultant records from the system are managed. Findings reveals that information systems used in prisons have simplified the flow of information and the records management functions in correctional facilities in some African countries. However, the majority of correctional facilities in countries such as South Africa are still using the traditional method of records management mostly because of financial constraints and lack of support from the government. The study recommends that correctional facilities should consider exploring the possibility of benchmarking and collaborating with other key sectors for effective implementation of information systems and management of resultant records.