Beyond mistakes : opportunities and challenges of XR for staff in prison and probation settings

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McAlaney, John and Springett, Mark and Saeghe, Pejman (2026) Beyond mistakes : opportunities and challenges of XR for staff in prison and probation settings. In: XR for Challenging Environments – Enabling Human Performance and Agency under Stress, 2026-04-14 - 2026-04-14.

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Abstract

Criminal justice systems worldwide face persistent challenges in reducing reoffending, with prison and probation staff operating in emotionally demanding, high-pressure environments that shape rehabilitation outcomes. While extended reality (XR) has begun to be explored as an intervention for people with convictions, little attention has been given to how XR might support the staff responsible for delivering rehabilitative practices. This position paper argues that XR offers under-researched opportunities to enhance staff wellbeing, professional judgement, and relational practice within prison and probation contexts. Drawing on human–computer interaction (HCI) research and social psychological theory, we outline potential benefits and applications of XR in prison and probation settings. We further examine institutional constraints, including security risks, intergroup dynamics, and perceived inequities in technology access, arguing that co-creation is essential to responsible implementation. Rather than positioning XR as a technological solution, we frame it as a relational tool embedded within existing power structures and organisational cultures. Advancing this agenda requires interdisciplinary collaboration and rigorous empirical evaluation to assess both benefits and unintended consequences in correctional environments.

ORCID iDs

McAlaney, John, Springett, Mark and Saeghe, Pejman ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6602-3123;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)