News

UK detention center replaces employees with kiosks

July 11, 2016

UK-based detention center, Yarl's Wood plans to replace 19 percent of its staff with self-service kiosks. The kiosks will allow residents to order food, send emails and schedule visiting hours, according to a report by Wired.

The center is designed to hold children and female immigrants before deportation from the UK. The center decided to deploy the kiosks after residents took surveys in 2015 and 2016. The kiosks are designed with biometric components to recognize people by fingerprint or voice to bring up different files and services.

Yarl's Wood has been the subject of controversy in the past, as previous and current detainees have accused guards of abuse and rape. Residents showcased a banner earlier this year that accused guards of having relationships with "vulnerable detainees."