Jail Based Education, SWOT Analysis Example

About Edovo

Edovo is a secure digital platform that uses digital content to cover a range of educational, vocational, legal and treatment needs of the incarcerated encouraging consistent engagement in the programming process[1]. Edovo reduces recidivism as it catalyzes access to education and rehabilitation thus preparing inmates for jobs while improving their well-being[2]. While the platform offers a digital platform that meets communication, education and rehabilitation needs of the justice involved people, it is a requirement that it carries SWOT analysis to determine the different areas of strength and weaknesses and establish potential areas of opportunity.

Strengths

Edovo is composed of entrepreneurs, technologists, operates and educators who are committed to a smarter and safer justice system. According to Kevin Pujanauski, the director of content for Edovo, the platform brings together different people from different departments who are committed to ensuring justice and equality of opportunity for the inmates. The broad coverage gives the platform an opportunity to offer effective services to its clients. A collection of entrepreneurs, educators, and all other stakeholders gives Edovo the potential to keep going and work towards ensuring education and communication for the justice-involved people. The drawing together of such groups has given the company the strength it needs to offer reliable services to its clients in an environment that has limited the rights of inmates.

The strength of Edovo is being a visionary leader in the industry that seeks to offer education to the inmates[3]. While most programs have focused on the other section of the community, Edovo has shifted its operations and specialized in offering communication and education opportunities for the inmates. The platform has since become an innovation leader in offering education to inmates in the USA. For instance, the platform is recognized in counties in three states namely California, Pennsylvania, and Alabama who provide Edovo to over 4000 inmates[4]. The platform is also expected to spread to several other prison systems within the next six months.

Another factor that gives Edovo its business strength is offering an opportunity for productive and corporate culture. Edovo focuses on offering inmates with educational opportunity both during and after their correction period, which creates a productive culture as they join the society. The education program aims at driving potential among the inmates and gives them an opportunity to participate actively in different community activities[5]. The company’s secure digital technology is everything a tablet program must have as it provides a safer environment and unlimited access to self-improvement tools for the inmates[6]. The technology offers the company its advantage in the market as inmates have the opportunity to utilize the resources available which offer them education and other services.

The platform is also the best available solution to all the problems in the correction facility such as money spent on drugs. The platform also offers correctional security that ensures no external communication or internet access may hinder security of the facility. The platform also has rugged hardware and custom casing with real-time tracking and control of usage and content in the device ensuring only legal activities are carried out on the device. The platform also offers expansive programming as there is the broadest content at every learning level. The services go beyond academics to CBT, vocational and life skills training that are essential for all inmates[7]. The platform also offers entertainment incentive that cultivates engagement among the inmates creating a corporative social culture. Edovo represents the future of rehabilitation as it brings education to the correctional facilities. For instance, the platform has potential to manage behavior in the correctional faculties while meeting diverse needs of the prisoners through the diverse contents offered.

Weaknesses

While the company enjoys operations in the justice department, there are certain areas that may pose a challenge or require further improvement for Edovo to prosper in the industry. The main area of weakness is coverage where the platform has only managed to reach fewer sections in the country. The problem is associated with large number of inmates who lack essential correction services[8]. For instance, three areas are using Edovo including California, Alabama, and Pennsylvania, which indicates just how far the platform is from covering the entire USA.

Opportunities

Different factors generate an operating environment that Edovo can take advantage of and control the inmates’ education industry. Varieties of opportunities still exist giving the platform the potential for expansion. For instance, the increased recidivism is one factor that the platform can take advantage of and offer a reliable solution. According to the national institution of justice, 67.8% of released prisoners were rearrested in three years period[9]. The alarming statistics should be a potential for the platform and offer a solution to the department of justice that aims to reduce the level of recidivism. Another opportunity for Edovo is offering a solution for rehabilitation. The platform for jail-based education is an essential solution as the profound effect of education is usually seen among inmates[10]. There is potential for Edovo to join the rehabilitation system by offering educational services to the inmates.

Digitalizing education for all inmates is another untapped potential for the platform. While sections such as California, Pennsylvania, and Alabama have adopted the system, there is still a wide market that the company should utilize. For instance, Edovo can expand to other regions of the country an offer education for the inmates, a service that is yet to be acknowledged in a large section of the country. Thus, the existing market is a greater opportunity for Edovo to expand and become a market leader. Market availability is also another opportunity for the platform to expand. For instance, every year sees about 12 million USA citizens being jailed for different crimes[11]. While education and communication with loved ones is a well-documented way to keep people out of jail, most prisoners do not have regular access to the services while inside. Edovo can tap into this potential and offer education and communication services to the prisoners.

Threats

The future of digital education is dynamic. While the company has device security mechanism on the devices, there is a high risk of inmates using the devices for other purposes that may be a threat to the security of the correctional facilities. There is a possibility that one day the inmates may find a way to use the devices for other purposes other than the one they are designed for and they may tamper with the correctional facilities. The threat of new entry is also a potential factor. Different investors may realize the potential in investing on the inmates, which may result in competition in the industry.

With time, as the inmate education and rehabilitation program continues to impact lives of many people in the correctional facilities, other companies offering equal services will develop and tap into the existing market[12]. The companies may then become a competitive challenge to the growth of the Edovo platform. Competition is a central aspect of future prediction as seen in all other business environments. The company should tap into other available markets and become the leader before other companies join the industry.

Recommendation

while there may exist some challenges such as slow expansion and risks of new entry and competition, it is advisable for Edovo to invest in the innovation while it still enjoys market domination.

Bibliography

[1] “Edovo | About Us”, Edovo.Com, last modified 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.edovo.com/about-us/.

[2] Daniel H. Antonowicz and Robert R. Ross, “Essential Components Of Successful Rehabilitation Programs For Offenders”, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 38, no. 2 (2009): 97-104.

[3] “Edovo | About Us”, Edovo.Com, last modified 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.edovo.com/about-us/.

[4] Department of Federal Bureau of Prison, Federal Bureau Of Prisons Education Program Assessment, ebook, 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.justice.gov/archives/dag/page/file/914026/download.

[5] Lois M Davis, Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Correctional Education, 2011.

[6] “Edovo | About Us”, Edovo.Com, last modified 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.edovo.com/about-us/.

[7] Eric W. Carlson and Richard P. Seiter, “Residential Inmate Aftercare:”, Offender Rehabilitation 1, no. 4 (1977): 381-394.

[8] John Irwin, “The Trouble With Rehabilitation”, Correctional Psychologist 1, no. 2 (2009): 139-149.

[9] John Esperian, The Effect Of Prison Education Programs On Recidiv, ebook, 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://uiowa.edu/higheredandsuccessfulreentry/sites/uiowa.edu.higheredandsuccessfulreentry/files/esperian.pdf.

[10] J. Gilligan and B. Lee, “The Resolve To Stop The Violence Project: Reducing Violence In The Community Through A Jail-Based Initiative”, Journal of Public Health 27, no. 2 (2005): 143-148.

[11] Penal Reform International, Loius Davis, Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Correctional Education, Ebook, 2017, Accessed December 7, 2017, Https://Www.Rand.Org/Content/Dam/Rand/Pubs/Research_Reports/RR200/RR266/RAND_RR266.Sum.Pdf., ebook, 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/PRI-Prisons-global-trends-report-LR.pdf.

[12] Loius Davis, Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Correctional Education, ebook, 2017, accessed December 7, 2017, https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR266/RAND_RR266.sum.pdf.