Around 30 companies including Microsoft and Google are meeting for a roundtable event with members of the UK Government today to explore how new technology can help modernise the justice system.

Chaired by James Timpson, the prison and probation minister, and opened by lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood, the roundtable marks the first time key players in the UK’s tech ecosystem will meet with justice ministers to discuss some of the toughest challenges faced by courts, prisons, and the probation system.

Discussion will focus on the potential for even more effective tracking of offender movement, using data to aid probation officers to perform better risk assessments, and whether digital platforms can help offenders rehabilitate and integrate back into society.

The meeting has been organised in partnership with techUK, the trade association that brings together companies and organisations to promote digital technology.

The aim is for a follow up to this meeting with an event open to the whole of industry to apply to come back to present their applicable ideas and solutions in the coming months.

“We inherited a justice system in crisis, with prisons close to collapse and staff overburdened and under pressure,” said lord chancellor, Shabana Mahmood.

“We need bold ideas to address the challenges that we face – supporting our staff, delivering swifter justice for victims, and cutting crime.

“Today, we have an analogue justice system in a digital age.

“The UK has a world-leading and growing tech sector, and I know our tech firms have a huge role to play in delivering our Plan for Change to make streets safer.”

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Julian David OBE, CEO of techUK, also commented: “We’re honoured to be hosting this roundtable discussion with the Ministry of Justice – It presents an excellent opportunity for the tech sector to highlight the transformative role that technology is playing in modernising our criminal justice system.

“techUK and our members believe that collaboration and open dialogue are essential to fostering innovation and driving meaningful reform – particularly in how offenders are rehabilitated – and that digital tools can be a powerful force in sustaining this positive impact across society.”

Earlier this year, the lord chancellor set out her vision for the Probation Service, which included an £8 million pledge to introduce new technology to help risk assess people who’ve offended and cut back on admin, increasing focus on those who pose the greatest risk to the public.