Kin:
re-entry tool
How might we create a tool for citizens, returning after periods of incarceration to re-integrate?
Understanding the needs, priorities and wants of the citizen and creating a safe space for them to access useful information.
CITY OF CHICAGO
2021
Creating meaningful connections for post-incarceration
The challenge lay in how to create safe spaces, meaningful connections and equitable access to the information the citizens need and want. How could we foster a feeling of trust and support with people who typically have not experienced positive reactions from communities? And how could we ensure that disadvantaged citizens have equitable access to this platform?
Multi-model approaches to success
The main goal of the project was to ensure that the user would have access to a multi-model experience that would provide information, spaces and amenities they needed to succeed in reacclimatising to life outside prison. These could include areas such as finding housing, finding a job or education, joining a community or just having a support system.
Connecting with community members
We started with some user research – given the short time frame of the project, this was limited to secondary research; articles, secondary interviews, systemic analysis and statistical analysis and a very small amount of primary research which amounted to an interview with a citizen who had been released after 30+ years in an Illinois county jail.
We then created and developed scenarios that would help us articulate the pain points, craft the user experience and gain insights into the most effective positioning of the platform.
Equitable access for post-incarceration resources
The outcome was an experience model and resultant platform that focussed on helping returning citizens create meaningful and trusting connections with the people who
can provide access to resources such as a secure job, safe housing, and a sense of emotional support. The full deck can be downloaded below:
