ORIJIN
Revolutionizing communication inside correctional facilities across 18 states by designing a secure communication platform.
product design
product design
Ed Tech
Ed Tech
UX Designer
5 months
shipped
Team of 5
Societal Problem
Correctional facility phone services face significant challenges: rates often exceed $1 per minute, and limited access means justice-impacted individuals face restrictions on call duration and frequency.
Understaffing in facilities further limits the availability and management of phone systems, leaving many folks isolated from their families.
These barriers hinder well-being and undermine successful rehabilitation, as strong family connections and support are vital for reintegration.
SOLUTION
Orijin, a leading provider of educational and technological solutions for justice-impacted individuals, recognized this gap in communication within correctional systems.
Seeking to transform how individuals in custody connect with the outside world, a team of 5: me (UX Designer), a UX Lead, Dev lead and 2 product managers took on a challenge to leverage technology to create a safer, more efficient, and humane communication platform that prioritizes accessibility and well-being.
IMPACT
platform user engagement in 2023
46%
33%
platform user engagement in 2022
23%
platform user engagement in 2021
orijin
Product Design
ed tech
Revolutionizing communication inside correctional facilities across 18 states by designing a secure communication platform.
UX Designer
5 months
Team of 5
shipped
Societal Problem
Correctional facility phone services face significant challenges: rates often exceed $1 per minute, and limited access means justice-impacted individuals face restrictions on call duration and frequency.
Understaffing in facilities further limits the availability and management of phone systems, leaving many folks isolated from their families.
These barriers hinder well-being and undermine successful rehabilitation, as strong family connections and support are vital for reintegration.
Solution
Orijin, a leading provider of educational and technological solutions for justice-impacted individuals, recognized this gap in communication within correctional systems. Seeking to transform how individuals in custody connect with the outside world, a team of 5: me (UX Designer), a UX Lead, Dev lead and 2 product managers took on a challenge to leverage technology to create a safer, more efficient, and humane communication platform that prioritizes accessibility and well-being.
46%
platform user engagement in 2023
33%
platform user engagement in 2022
platform user engagement in 2021
23%
Impact
Ideation can get messy, but it’s where ideas take shape.
Ideation can get messy, but it’s where ideas take shape.
design Process
Designing a communication platform for incarcerated individuals presented a unique set of challenges. Many people had limited experience with technology, often treating tablets like large phones. This meant we couldn't rely on intuitive design principles and had to be explicit in our interactions.
We had to prioritize creating a user-friendly experience for individuals with diverse levels of tech proficiency, while simultaneously meeting the strict security and administrative requirements of correctional facilities.
Key Challenges and Solutions
01.
Limited Technical Literacy
We designed a simple interface using clear language, lots of explainer text, and visual cues.
01.
Limited Technical Literacy
We designed a simple interface using clear language, lots of explainer text, and visual cues.
02.
Building Trust
02.
Building Trust
03.
Balancing User Needs & Security
We designed an admin platform that empowers administrators with the necessary tools to monitor activity.
03.
Balancing User Needs & Security
We designed an admin platform that empowers administrators with the necessary tools to monitor activity.
04.
Advanced Security Measures
04.
Advanced Security Measures
05.
Modular Approach
05.
Modular Approach
user needs
business needs
Simple & Accessible Interface
01.
Accessible platform to individuals with limited technical skills and disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments.
Contact Management
02.
Provide an efficient system for adding, editing, and approving contacts, making it easy for users to stay connected.
Streamline Administrative Processes
03.
Simplify administrative tasks for facility staff.
user needs
business needs
Simple & Accessible Interface
01.
Accessible platform to individuals with limited technical skills and disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments.
Contact Management
02.
Provide an efficient system for adding, editing, and approving contacts, making it easy for users to stay connected.
Streamline Administrative Processes
03.
Simplify administrative tasks for facility staff.
research
To gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities, Orijin conducted extensive research, including interviews with facility managers, justice-impacted individuals, and industry experts. Key insights from this research included:
building trust: explainer texts
Calling medical professionals or lawyers will not be monitored or recorded.
modular approach: tabs system
Balancing User Needs & Security: built out admin portal
advanced security measures: voice authentification feature
DISCOVER MORE CASE STUDIES
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
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conclusion
We created a platform that empowers encarcerated individuals to connect with loved ones while ensuring the safety and security of the facility.
The Voice Calls feature is the first step in a comprehensive communication platform, with future feature iterations and video calling capability.
about orijin
Orijin’s goal is to address the systemic lack of educational and rehabilitative opportunities in prisons, where only 17% of incarcerated individuals in the U.S. have access to programming. Orijin’s tablets are currently implemented in correctional facilities across 18 U.S. states. They are designed to provide justice-impacted individuals with access to education, vocational training, and personal development resources. (Source)
Curious about Orijin and how you can learn more about supporting justice-impacted individuals? Discover more by visiting their website.
key features
add multiple contacts
edit & Delete contacts
call Secure & Private Contacts
make calls
Available crisis hotlines
KEY FEATURES
add multiple contacts
Available crisis hotlines
edit & Delete contacts
call Secure & Private Contacts
make calls
research
To gain a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities, Orijin conducted extensive research, including interviews with facility managers, justice-impacted individuals, and industry experts. Key insights from this research included:
user needs
business needs
Simple & Accessible Interface
01.
Accessible platform to individuals with limited technical skills and disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments.
Contact Management
02.
Provide an efficient system for adding, editing, and approving contacts, making it easy for users to stay connected.
Streamline Administrative Processes
03.
Simplify administrative tasks for facility staff.
Ideation can get messy, but it’s where ideas take shape.
Key Challenges and Solutions
01.
Limited Technical Literacy
We designed a simple interface using clear language, lots of explainer text, and visual cues.
02.
building trust
03.
balancing User Needs & Security
04.
advanced Security Measures
05.
modular Approach
design process
Designing a communication platform for incarcerated individuals presented a unique set of challenges. Many people had limited experience with technology, often treating tablets like large phones. This meant we couldn't rely on intuitive design principles and had to be explicit in our interactions.
We had to prioritize creating a user-friendly experience for individuals with diverse levels of tech proficiency, while simultaneously meeting the strict security and administrative requirements of correctional facilities.
Calling medical professionals or lawyers will not be monitored or recorded.
building trust
Balancing User Needs & Security
Advanced Security Measures
modular Approach
conclusion
We created a platform that empowers encarcerated individuals to connect with loved ones while ensuring the safety and security of the facility.
The Voice Calls feature is the first step in a comprehensive communication platform, with future feature iterations and video calling capability.
about orijin
Orijin’s goal is to address the systemic lack of educational and rehabilitative opportunities in prisons, where only 17% of incarcerated individuals in the U.S. have access to programming. Orijin’s tablets are currently implemented in correctional facilities across 18 U.S. states. They are designed to provide justice-impacted individuals with access to education, vocational training, and personal development resources. (Source)
Curious about Orijin and how you can learn more about supporting justice-impacted individuals? Discover more by visiting their website.
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