Digital Prison as a Variant of Serving a Prison Sentence. Modern Technologies in the Service of Law: The Development of Electronic Monitoring

SUMMARY: Objective: The aim of this study was to present and systematize the legal and pedagogical aspects of the use of the electronic monitoring system, with particular emphasis on the changes that have occurred since the beginning of 2023 and taking into account the proposed changes in 2025 in the context of the use of SDE against persons sentenced to temporary detention. In the article, I also presented the researchers' references to the possibility of a wider use of SDE in the distant and near future. Methods: To show the overall importance of the discussed topic, I used: methods of analysis of existing literature and research results. My main focus was on: the current effectiveness of the SDE system, amendments to the Act introduced by the legislator since 2007 and practical implications that may apply in the future. Results: After analyzing the existing knowledge and research results regarding SDE that have appeared over recent years, I can clearly state that the Electronic Surveillance System is an alternative for a prison works well and its further application should be considered in a broader aspect, not only for applications in the Polish justice system. End: In conclusion, based on the collected research, opinions of probation officers and authors of the publication a conclusion was formulated that it is worth using SDE as an alternative to prison and considering it on the possibility of wider use of SDE in the future, including: using SDE in the case of convoying, use as a preventive measure (especially against perpetrators convicted of sexual crimes), apply to longer sentences. In his book, Bartosz Kędzierski indicates this limit is 2 years. application of SDE for convicted persons who work gainfully outside prison. Originality: Without a doubt, in the field of research on the use of SDE in practice, the article is an important and original approach which confirms, firstly, the high effectiveness of the electronic surveillance system and the need for wider application SDE, which is not only limited to persons sentenced to up to 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment. Undoubtedly, the topic of SDE requires discussion, polemics and further research in the context of expected effectiveness in the future.