Digital Rehabilitation of Incarcerated Women: Possibilities and Future Challenges for North Macedonia

In today’s digital world, access to technology and digital literacy is essential for successful reintegration into society, especially for incarcerated individuals. Incarcerated women face significant challenges due to limited access to digital tools and training during their sentences. This digital divide hinders their ability to re-entry, affecting opportunities for employment, communication, and social reintegration. This study aims to assess the digital skills and needs of incarcerated women and design a training program to bridge the digital gap. The goal is to equip them with the necessary digital competencies to help their resocialization, employment possibilities, and overall reintegration. Additionally, the project aims to advocate for the integration of technology in Macedonian prisons. In September 2023, a survey was conducted in the Women’s Ward of KPD Idrizovo as part of the DiCapSIW project. The survey assessed the incarcerated women’ digital skills and their access to technology. Based on the findings, six digital skills training modules were developed, covering areas such as digital literacy, job readiness, and online communication. The survey revealed a significant lack of digital skills among female inmates. Most respondents lacked basic competencies in areas such as job searching and document creation. However, all expressed motivation to participate in digital skills training, recognizing its importance for resocialization and post-release employment.