News & views

We collate and provide links to news and views from around the world to help share ideas and thinking for policy makers, procurers, providers, and any other organisations working in the public sector sphere to deliver better public services.

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Report: Violence cut at seven of 10 'challenging' prisons
Levels of violence and drug taking have fallen since last year at some of England's "most challenging" prisons, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said. The rate of assaults fell by 16%, while failed drug tests also dropped across the 10 prisons that were given £10m extra security funding in 2018. (Source:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49431495)
23rd August 2019
New thinking: AI screens populations, subgroups for clinical depression
Machine learning algorithms can comb population-level patient databases to find individuals who might benefit by treatment for depression, a study running in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has shown. (Source:https://www.aiin.healthcare/topics/diagnostics/ai-screens-populations-subgroups-clinical-depression)
22nd August 2019
New thinking: In Clink prison restaurants, there is fellowship in food
The Ministry of Justice produced a report last week, showing that the Clink Charity had had a “statistically significant” impact on reoffending rates among prisoners. (Source:https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/aug/08/in-clink-prison-restaurants-there-is-fellowship-in-food)
22nd August 2019
Views: Is London Smart City Initiative as smart as it could be?
It’s been a year since the launch of the Mayor of London’s smart city roadmap, designed to transform the capital into the smartest city in the world. But twelve months later, is the city any smarter? (Source:https://workplaceinsight.net/is-london-smart-city-initiative-as-smart-as-it-could-be/)
21st August 2019
News: Inmate Rewards For Respectful Guards Can Help Curb Prison Violence
Prisons can be made safer by granting inmates the opportunity to reward staff for being “respectful, helpful and professional”, according to a new report. (Source:https://rightsinfo.org/inmates-should-reward-respectful-prison-staff/)
21st August 2019
News: Ontario prison farms making a comeback
Prison farms in Canada had been operating for more than a century. Over the years, the system shifted from forced labour to a rehabilitation program run by CORCAN, a Correctional Service of Canada program that provides inmates with employment experience and skills. (Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/prison-farm-program-readying-for-relaunch-in-ontario-1.5247129)
20th August 2019
New thinking: Could smart ticketing technology signal the end of station barriers?
The end of ticket barriers could be nigh, with new technology being developed and trialled by Hitachi Rail. The prototype technology would use sensors on trains to detect an app on passengers’ smartphones as they board. (Source: https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/85899/smart-ticketing-end-station-barriers/)
20th August 2019
News: Smart mobility drives smart cities
Modern urban logistics and transport networks are under pressure from many sources. According to PwC, people will continue to migrate from rural areas to cities and by 2050 the urban population will have increased by 75%. (Source: https://www.propertyweek.com/insight/smart-mobility-drives-smart-cities/5103935.article)
19th August 2019
Views: Prison reform group calls for end to ‘long-term’ solitary confinement
Two-dozen prison reform activists recently rallied at Department of Corrections headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, pushing for changes to solitary confinement and calling for an inquiry into alleged “abuses” at one corrections facility. (Source: https://papost.org/2019/08/05/prison-reform-group-calls-for-end-to-long-term-solitary-confinement/)
19th August 2019
View: What smart cities idea needs to get off ground
Smart cities may be the future trend in the next few years. A smart city is one that takes advantage of technology to collect data and use it to manage resources for public good. (Source: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/lifestyle/pfinance/What-smart-cities-idea-needs-to-get-off-ground/4258410-5240274-7bx12sz/index.html)
19th August 2019
Innovation: How Scotland is moving to sustainable public transport
In light of the global climate emergency, it is confirmed that the Scottish Government, including Transport Scotland, would look across a whole range of responsibilities to make sure that we continue with the policies that are underway to reduce emissions and, where necessary, take additional actions. (Source: https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-articles/85955/scotland-moving-sustainable-public-transport/)
16th August 2019
News: Smart Cities Initiatives around the World Are Improving Citizens' Lives
Examples of smart management include monitoring and managing: traffic and transportation systems, power and water supply networks, waste management systems, information systems, schools, libraries, and hospitals. (Source: https://interestingengineering.com/smart-cities-initiatives-around-the-world-are-improving-citizens-lives)
16th August 2019
New thinking: Bryden Wood touts ‘prison of the future’ design
It said the design, which removes bars from cell windows by the use of tougher glass and which adopts a Scandinavian approach to rehabilitation and institutionalisation, represented “the biggest redesign of prisons since the Victorian era”. (Source: https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/bryden-wood-touts-prison-of-the-future-design/5101118.article)
16th August 2019
News: Boris Johnson pledges £100m to beef up prison security
The money will go toward airport-style technology, including X-ray scanners and metal detectors, to prevent drugs, weapons and mobile phones getting into jails, and strengthening the Counter Corruption Unit. The spending is in addition to £70m announced last year for the same purpose. (Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/12/boris-johnson-pledges-100m-to-beef-up-prison-security)
15th August 2019
News: Scottish government launches new cloud procurement framework
The cloud procurement framework is part of the Scottish government’s efforts to give access to the public sector organisations and charities operating in the region to IT resources that are hosted locally, are sustainable, and offered by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). (Source: https://www.governmentcomputing.com/cloud/news/scotland-cloud-procurement-framework)
15th August 2019
New thinking: Smart procurement for smart cities
With limited resources and little room for failure, choosing the right procurement strategy has been crucial for U.S. cities to stay ahead of the innovation curve. (Source: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/smart-procurement-smart-cities)
14th August 2019
Views: Former inmate explains how much good would come from removing prison window bars
The psychological imprint of prison bars can have a longer lasting impact than the term served and the image of bars in the free world are synonymous with prison. (Source: https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/11/i-was-in-prison-for-12-years-i-know-how-much-good-would-come-from-removing-prison-window-bars-8330464/)
14th August 2019
Views: How AI can transform hospital revenue cycle management
Many hospitals and health systems are already leveraging AI to improve care, support clinical decisions and boost clinician satisfaction. However, the role of AI in healthcare isn't limited to the clinical experience. The same technology can transform nonclinical processes. (Source:https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/how-ai-can-transform-hospital-revenue-cycle-management-5-thoughts.html)
13th August 2019
New thinking: Inmate Rewards For Respectful Guards Can Help Curb Prison Violence
Prisons can be made safer by granting inmates the opportunity to reward staff for being “respectful, helpful and professional”, according to a new report. (Source:https://rightsinfo.org/inmates-should-reward-respectful-prison-staff/)
13th August 2019
New thinking: AI emerging as healthcare leaders' top toolset for reducing risk
Healthcare leaders working for provider organisations and medical societies see AI as the best emerging technology for reducing risk. Meanwhile they see online media as the riskiest technology. (Source: https://www.aiin.healthcare/topics/business-intelligence/ai-healthcare-leaders-top-toolset-reducing-risk)
12th August 2019

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