Designing an educational platform for Incarcerated woman trying to re-enter society.
Project Details
Client: Rebel Health
Duration: 3 months.
Industry: Non-Profit
Platform: Tablet Application
Role:
UX Designer
Context
My class was tasked with designing an educational platform to help incarcerated women build digital skills for a successful re-entry into society. I worked with the client on an app that focuses on privacy and security education to build trust through interactive simulations and missions.
1
Incarcerated women struggled with privacy upon release. They are unaware of how to keep their data secure, like two-factor authentication.
Problem
​During 3 user interviews conducted with system impacted woman, I discovered women felt uncertain about disclosing information. This created a challenge for them upon release as there was a shift from a single password in prison to managing multiple passwords
post-release.
​“How to search safely online, these are stuff we had to learn to learn overnight. Hacking is a concern, how do you safely share information? We need help in understanding that technology can help with banking and be trusted.”
-Incarcerated Woman, Participant 1
Solution
Way to Practice Authentication Methods through an educational simulation
To address this:
-
System impacted women were used to ordering from a commecary through paper forms. I use the commecary as a practice example to learn different ways of security practices and gain trust in using technology.
The screen provides brief yet informative descriptions of each security practice, enhancing users' understanding of digital security.
Incarcerated woman Practicing ordering products with safe security practices
Simulated ordering through a commecary
An interactive dice where when users tap on it- they are provided with a new security feature to learn password management and build trust in technology.
Interactive dice for learning new security measures
Description of the Method for users to learn
Users using online security methods to unlock C-Mart Locker Hub
Problem
Re-entry into society is harder for Incarcerated women due to gaps in digital literacy especially for tasks like shopping, using digital services or even finding information.
2
Solution
Learning technology via interactive educational missions.
I designed an educational feature where users are assigned missions and get bonus points for completing the mission. Many women who are part of the system feel scared because they don't understand how technology works and how to stay safe online. This helps practice best security practices in a safe environment.
Responsive dice that generates new challenges when tapped.
Interactive login process section for diverse set of users
Bonus points to purchase gifts for closed ones
Using the bonus points the users are provided with an opportunity to purchase items or gifts for their closed ones or even sell items that was created by them within the system to encourage entrepreneurship skills and create a sense of belonging.
Feedback by Rebel Health
“This is a really good concept as there are not enough security staff to deliver the items or manage the commissary store. Since woman’s prison do not have enough funds, if we miss out placing an order while that time, we will not be able place an order until next time they are collecting. Having an app is very useful.”
- System Impacted Woman 3
​“This is a really helpful concept, it encourages the woman to be entrepreneurial since they love making stuff and teaching them through daily activities is very helpful as they would be able to understand better”
- Rebel Health Founder