For prisoners who have spent more time in jail than out, VR can be a powerful tool of rehabilitation. Inmates who went to jail as early juveniles never learned seemingly simple things many people take for granted – like doing laundry and even grocery shopping.
A program now being used by certain facilities in Colorado provides a three-year immersive experience aimed to prepare long-time inmates for their their new life outside bars. Simulated exchanges with potential bosses, shop workers, and even parole officers allow users to work through potential real-life scenarios without real-life repercussions, with the hopes of reducing recidivism.
Many individuals who were convicted in the 80s and 90s have never used a smartphone or computer in some cases. This immersive program is yet another innovative use of the constantly developing virtual reality technology.