Prison cell management app wins Civil Service Data Challenge

At the 2023-24 Civil Service Data Challenge, Project Constellation, led by John Saunders, emerged as the winner with an innovative solution for managing prison cells.

The app aims to provide real-time data on prison spaces, matching high-risk prisoners with suitable cellmates and reducing the strain on the prison system. The project will receive £50,000 in support from NTT DATA UK&I.

Vicki Chauhan, Head of Public Sector at NTT DATA UK&I, praised the finalists, stating, “This year’s shortlist provides four strong ideas, all worthy of further intensive development and implementation.”

The four finalists

The competition received over 100 entries, with four finalists selected to present their ideas at the grand final. Besides Project Constellation, the finalists included:

• POSUM: Using generative AI to streamline policy summarisation, proposed by Mark Slater from the DWP.
• RoutePlanner: A geospatial tool to help NHS workers optimise patient visits, submitted by Paul Caroll from the Department of Health and Social Care.
• GENIE: An app to automate death data sharing between the NHS and DWP, developed by Corey Lankovits from the DWP and NHS.

Judges, including Vicki Chauhan and Craig Suckling, praised the finalists for their innovation and collaboration.

Craig Suckling, Chief Data Officer at the CDDO, said, “It’s inspiring to see so much innovation, diversity of thought, and drive to improve society reflected in all the entries. Finalists are embracing important themes—cross-departmental data sharing, use of open data, real-time intelligence, and generative AI.”

Cross-departmental collaboration and innovation

The Civil Service Data Challenge promotes cross-departmental collaboration, allowing civil servants to work with digital consultants from NTT DATA UK&I to develop innovative solutions. Vicki Chauhan highlighted this aspect, adding, “The success of the Civil Service Data Challenge comes from civil servants putting forward the best and brightest ideas, and from those who volunteer as team members and mentors to help develop them.”

The challenge continues to demonstrate the transformative potential of data and technology in the public sector. As the competition grows, it provides a platform for civil servants to develop ideas that address complex societal challenges, with the support of senior digital and data leaders.

With £50,000 worth of support, Project Constellation will move forward to the development phase, aiming to transform the way prison cells are managed across the UK. As these projects progress, they showcase how innovation in data and AI can streamline civil service operations, save costs, and create more efficient services for citizens.