Virtual reality: key to violence prevention in prisons!

Virtual reality: key to violence prevention in prisons!

Agia, Griechenland - technology in prisons? That sounds like a future dream that is more than just fiction! On July 22, 2025, an online event, organized by KMOP-a center for social actions and innovation, devoted himself to this topic. The focus was on the use of virtual reality (VR) as an innovative tool for violence prevention and empowerment in judicial institutions. Experts from mental health, correction training and technology told how this works and what positive effects can already be observed. [KMOP] (https://www.kmop.gr/News-virtual-as-as--toPwerment-and-Violence-PreviNVERVIENT-In-Kmops--Concluded-Withhin-the-Fhe --vr4react-Project/) Dragona, the EU program group leader at KMOP, moderated the event. The exciting discussion also included a contribution by Dimitra Drakaki, the director of the agricultural prison in Agia, Chania, who outlined the situation in Greek prison and the challenges of aggressive behaviors of the inmates.

A central topic was psychoeducation, which is important for both prisoners and the correction staff. Why is that so important? Because the increase in psychological resilience in these often stressed environments is more important than ever. Markos Sangogian, a researcher at KMOP, and Evelina Emvaloti, also from the program, shared exciting knowledge and digital tools from the VR4React project that aims to reduce reactive aggressions from detainees. Innovative psychoeducative interventions are used in the form of VR, which should help to better control emotional reactions and to develop healthy coping strategies.

The use of VR as a resocialization tool

The possibilities that VR offers for the re -socialization of detainees are fascinating. According to an investigation on the part of the Polish judicial authority, it is clear that VR not only benefits detainees, but can also help civil servants and other people under judicial supervision. PPBW emphasizes that VR training in controlled and safe environments can improve frustration tolerance and emotional reactions. In these virtual scenarios, prisoners can be confronted with aggressive situations, which gives them the opportunity to learn and develop meaningful reactions.

An important element of the project is the differentiation between proactive and reactive aggression. While proactive aggression is usually considered planned, reactive aggression often results from a feeling of threat. VR4React is specifically taught to defuse them impulsive behaviors. In addition, the trainers are specially trained in order to monitor the emotional state of the participants and offer support. The selection of the participants is based on their previous behavior and willingness to change.

First successes and future perspectives

The feedback from the first applications already show promising progress in the behavioral change of the detainees. Dimitra Drakaki reported positive changes in the attitudes and behaviors of the occupants. This clearly shows that the use of VR in detention centers not only arouses theoretical interest, but can also enable concrete, measurable improvements. In addition, a final conference of the project in Poznań is due next year, which will present additional knowledge and application examples.

The topic of technological innovation in prison is denser and more exciting than ever. It is clear that the use of VR is not only a simple trend, but also has a real potential to fundamentally change our way of dealing with violence in prisons.

For more information about this groundbreaking project and the associated developments, visit the websites of [KMOP] (https://www.kmop.gr/News-virtual--as-a-tor-- and- Violence-PreviNVERVENT-KMOSLINE-CONCLUTE-WITHIN-THE-FRAMEWORK-THE-VR4REACT-Project/) and and PPBW.