1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
18 | Connected Prisons
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Poor and vulnerable populations are
disproportionately represented in
incarceration systems, and are often
subjected to conditions that only make it
harder to enter the mainstream when they
leave prison. Prisons have traditionally been
seen as a way to contain and isolate
dangerous people, both as punishment and for
public safety. But Internet connectivity makes it
possible to achieve some security goals while
also reintegrating prisoners into communities
in a way that benefits both prisoner and
society. Moving from a model of isolation to
positive contribution may emerge as a trend
for 21st-century prisons.
3
18 | Connected Prisons | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Discussions on the dysfunction of prison systems constituted a surprising
amount of game time.
A few players offered specific and innovative ideas suggesting we take advantage
of Internet connectivity to change the role of prisoners, making them productive
members of society through distance education and games.
4
18 | Connected Prisons | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua**
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability.
**Player location was self selected.

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of the
imprisoned.
USA
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
Do 1 thing: bring education
programs to the prison and
post-prison social integration is
catalyst for change. Use
distance education
China
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of
the imprisoned.
USA

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
Distance education is an
excellent tool. Prisons can use
the same virtual classrooms as
many schools across the
world.
India
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of
the imprisoned.
USA
Do 1 thing: bring education
programs to the prison and
post-prison social integration
is catalyst for change. Use
distance education
China

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
Depending on incarceration
location, have inmates play
games to solve local problems
and gain stake in outcomes.
USA
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of
the imprisoned.
USA
Do 1 thing: bring education
programs to the prison and
post-prison social integration
is catalyst for change. Use
distance education
China
Distance education is an
excellent tool. Prisons can
use the same virtual
classrooms as many schools
across the world.
India

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
Have inmates tell their stories-
share on social media-use as
prevention in high criminality
rate communities - show
success stories/humanize
China
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of
the imprisoned.
USA
Do 1 thing: bring education
programs to the prison and
post-prison social integration
is catalyst for change. Use
distance education
China
Distance education is an
excellent tool. Prisons can
use the same virtual
classrooms as many schools
across the world.
India
Depending on incarceration
location, have inmates play
games to solve local problems
and gain stake in outcomes.
USA

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
18 | Connected Prisons | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Research has known for a
long time that jailing does not
do what it is meant to do - a
sufficient STICK. Need social
rehabilitation #jails*
Nicaragua
Shorten prison sentences
based on achievements in
academic learning and/or skill
development on the part of
the imprisoned.
USA
Do 1 thing: bring education
programs to the prison and
post-prison social integration
is catalyst for change. Use
distance education
China
Distance education is an
excellent tool. Prisons can
use the same virtual
classrooms as many schools
across the world.
India
Depending on incarceration
location, have inmates play
games to solve local problems
and gain stake in outcomes.
USA
Have inmates tell their stories-
share on social media-use as
prevention in high criminality
rate communities - show
success stories/humanize
China

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
12
18 | Connected Prisons

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 13
National Open University of Nigeria
has been enrolling and matriculating
Nigerian prisoners in an effort to more
effectively reform criminals.
Prisoner’s Education Trust
Prisoner’s Education Trust works to improve
a prisoner’s chance at success after release
through an educational grant program that
assists over 2,000 prisoners each year with
distance learning courses otherwise not
available in prison.
18 | Connected Prisons | Signals from the Present
Matriculating Nigerian Prisoners
Image Source: www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/16/prison-education-job-cutsImage Source: www.prisons.gov.ng/news/news_detail.php?id=3

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
SPP educates and trains prisoners on
sustainability and conservation while
minimizing the environmental impact of
prisons. SPP also works with scientists,
prisoners, and students in a collaborative
environment to conduct ecological research,
sometimes within the prisons themselves.
Creating Green Energy in Prison
A prison in Minas Gerais, Brazil shortens
prison sentences for prisoners who help
them electrify city streets by pedaling
stationary bikes that have been
retrofitted to create electricity. One day is
taken off for every three eight-hour days
spent pedaling.
18 | Connected Prisons | Signals from the Present
Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP)
Image Source: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48144469/ns/world_news-americas/t/inmates-
brazil-prison-pedal-electricity---their-freedom/
Image Source: www.blogs.evergreen.edu/sustainableprisons/stories

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org