Devices for tracking individuals implanted beneath the skin, robots designated to manage inmates, and unmanned vehicles for their transport are among the solutions proposed by technology firms to ministers seeking approaches to address the crisis in the UK’s judicial system.

This proposal arose during last month’s gathering of over 20 high-tech companies in London, chaired by Attorney General Shabana Mahmood, as highlighted by meeting notes reviewed by The Guardian. In light of a critical shortage of prisons and probation officers, struggling under immense pressure, the minister solicited ideas for utilizing wearable technology, behavioral surveillance, and geographical data to establish “prisons beyond the walls.”

Participants included representatives from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Palantir, who collaborate closely with the US military as well as the NHS. IBM and Serco, a private prison operator, were also present, along with firms specializing in tagging and biometrics, in response to their freedom of information request.

Mahmood stated to the technology firms, “We seek to deepen cooperation between government and industry to confront the prison capacity crisis, reduce recidivism, and enhance community safety.” She expressed the need to “scale and improve” the current application of tagging technologies “to encourage rehabilitation, mitigate crime, and enhance surveillance.” Prison minister James Timpson advocated for a “technology-driven approach to justice.”

This initiative represents the latest move by the Labour government to integrate the tech industry into efforts to achieve cost efficiency across public services, from schools to healthcare. In January, Keir Starmer asserted that AI could significantly “transform public services” and spoke about an “entire overhaul of government.”

The Ministry of Justice’s advocacy continues after last month’s Judgment review where former Attorney General David Goke emphasized the need for shorter sentences and a greater utilization of AI in public spaces to alleviate the overcrowded prison population by almost 10,000.

During a recent meeting convened by industry lobby group Tech UK, the minister questioned tech companies about the vision for a “digital, data, and technology-enabled judicial system” by 2050. Proposals included “real-time behavioral monitoring and subcutaneous tracking” to facilitate “behavioral management” for individuals within the criminal justice system, as well as AI support for criminal rehabilitation. Robotics were suggested for the movement and management of inmates, including self-driving vehicles for transporting them.

Human rights advocates described the concept as “a troubling dystopia,” cautioning at the conference that the government appeared “too aligned with tech giants.” A follow-up meeting with tech firms is scheduled for Tuesday, where Lord Timpson is expected to hear a 20-minute presentation of an innovative proposal during the “Innovation Den.”

Government officials emphasized that the ideas discussed thus far are hypothetical considerations aimed at enhancing public safety and stimulating dialogue about the future of criminal management.

The Attorney General previously indicated that he does not shy away from employing technologies like “gait recognition,” a biometric method capable of analyzing unique human movement patterns.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice commented, “We are continually exploring technologies that aim to reduce crime, monitor offenders effectively, and ensure the safety of our citizens, as the public rightly expects.”

Donald Campbell, advocacy director at the nonprofit organization FOXGLOVE, which campaigns for equitable technology usage, labeled the ideas as “surprisingly dystopian.” He remarked, “It’s concerning that the Minister of Justice is considering using robots to manage inmates and embedding devices in people’s skin to monitor their behavior or ‘predict’ future actions.”

Other recommendations from tech firms included deploying powerful quantum computers to “analyze historical data to foresee future behavior” and automate decision-making processes for overburdened probation services.

Nevertheless, there are worries about the implications of over-reliance on technology. Meeting notes recorded the sentiment that “if misapplied, these methods could yield dystopian results that are challenging to rectify.”

Campbell further stated, “The notion that tech companies can create tools to ‘predict’ crime has been met with skepticism on several occasions. It’s unfortunate to see this push being made.”

Tech UK, the organization that hosted the conference, mentioned that its initiatives aim to cultivate a more equitable, improved, and efficient justice system. “It’s crucial that the future of justice is developed with transparency, accountability, and public trust at its foundation,” a representative noted.

Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Palantir did not respond to inquiries for comments. Serco stated, “We will not provide commentary on this initiative.”