Bytes and concrete – In pursuit of a digitalized, more sustainable prison
Abstract
The study analyzes the concept of the ‘sustainable and environmentally aware digital prison’, linking the modernization of the prison service with the objectives of the European Green Deal. Prison institutes are energy- and resource-intensive, making them particularly suitable for the introduction of green and digital innovations. International examples (Scandinavian, Dutch, and Australian practices) demonstrate that integrating technology and sustainability can simultaneously enhance humane operation, cost-efficiency, and the prospects of reintegration. The case study of the Hungarian Csenger National Prison illustrates the practical implementation of the ‘smart prison’ model through energyefficient systems, paperless administration, digital services, and AI-based security. The study emphasizes that the digital prison is not merely a technological innovation but also an organizational and cultural transformation.
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