Target Audience
Specifically for female convicts, inmates and parole officers
Methods
Qualitative research, User interviews, Synthesis, Ideation, Workshop Facilitation, UX/UI design
Tools
Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Mural, Figma, Illustrator, Zoom
I worked with
Abigail: UX Strategist, Designer
Shraddha: UX Researcher, Designer
Timeline
16 weeks (Jan - May) 2023
Client
Academic Project
Highlight
My Role
UX Researcher, Strategist, UX/Product designer
My Contribution
Planning and Research - Conducted qualitative research including literature reviews and SME interviews
Strategy and Ideation - Crafted out insight, understanding patterns and ideation to explore different concepts
Prototyping and design - Build user cases, sketches, product features and built prototypes, interactive interfaces
Project Timeline
Research Goal
My goal for the research was to learn more about the experiences of formerly incarcerated women’s with technology during their time in prison, to understand how they make their regular purchase in prison system, and to understand their fears about returning to the city.
Unemployment data of formerly incarcerated individuals in the US
I scanned and documented relevant data literature, videos, and academic publications and journal articles.
Secondary Research
I led in-depth interviews with subject matter experts from the Women’s Justice Institute and Smart Policy Works.
Contextual Enquiry
I facilitated co-design sessions with system impacted women (inmates) to evaluate preliminary hypothesis and gather information about their experiences.
Co-design Workshop
Commissary Officer User Journey
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Research Insights from understanding users' pain point
Many women find the use of technology confusing because they do not have exposure to digital standards
Digital Space
Difficulties navigating digital platforms All things are online like, The State ID system is also online which can pose a challenge if they do not know how to navigate it.
Trust and Assurance
Lack of understanding of how technology work, only few have access to technology classes
Technology is a major challenge due to lack of understanding how data is shared and stored, and a misalignment between the systems’ interest and the individuals’ interest.
Privacy and Security
Uncertainty around when and who to disclose information with and use of multiple passwords.
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Privacy defined by inmates as (ownership and control) concerns about surveillance and hacking, privacy from social/personal relationships.
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Understanding the User
Problem Framing
How might we encourage system impacted women use technology to improve their well-being and strengthen their support system to help them with re-entry?
Opportunity Areas
1
Introduce activities that allow system impacted women to exert some privacy and practice emerging security methods during prison.
2
Encourage digital routines within prison to familiarize them with standard technology practices.
3
Integrate trusted actors like friends and family by allowing women to use technology to stay connected with them.
User Flow
Authentication factors can be classified into three groups: something you know: a password or Personal identification number (PIN); something you have: a token, such as bank card;
Something you are: biometrics, such as fingerprints and voice recognition.
of ideas and concepts to drive design solution.
Early explorations
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The Solution
The solution featured focuses on learning opportunities in online decision making, security practices and gaminification to encourage user retention by earning points for future purchase as well as accessing support from outside
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