How AI is being used to revolutionise the Prisoners Building Homes project

Thanks to the likes of Alexa, Siri and Ava – the welcoming voice behind the ‘bot’ that will book you a tennis court at the Oxstalls Centre in Gloucester – the use of artificial intelligence, or AI as it’s generally known, is almost commonplace. Whether that’s a good thing is a matter of opinion, but a story linking it to a project I have always supported, shows that AI is more than just an automatic telephone answering service.

I am referring to last week’s announcement that a firm called LANDCLAN was awarded £100,000 by the Government to work with Prisoners Building Homes on the development of their AI Pre-Development Tool. This, it’s claimed, will revolutionise housebuilding by making it quicker and cheaper to secure planning permission.

Why is this important to me? Because I and other Police and Crime Commissioners throughout the South West have long been championing Prisoners Building Homes (PBH), a pioneering programme that teaches valuable construction skills to prisoners, supporting their rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates.

As strange as it may seem, some people who come out of prison often break the law again because they want to go straight back behind bars. That’s because those who do, have little or no job prospects and nowhere else to go. With no permanent roof over their heads and no legitimate means of earning money, prison is their most secure option and, ironically, where they feel most at home. So I welcome any means of blocking that particular revolving door.

The announcement goes on to say that the new tool will use artificial intelligence to help public and third-sector landowners identify and appraise sites, manage site reports, generate conceptual site designs, and prepare planning applications. It will allow the PBH Programme to work with more local authorities and landowners, delivering high-quality, low carbon homes where they are most needed. And in the process, provide prisoners with skills that will help them find employment and reduce their desire to re-offend.

There is no doubt the PBH programme leads to qualifications that offer the prospect of employment on the outside, and with it a better future that is so crucial to cutting reoffending. It also produces highly affordable dwellings that can be used to house vulnerable people, homeless people, migrants and key workers, some who local councils already have a requirement to house.

So, a real beneficial ripple effect and £100k well invested.