Currently submitted to: JMIR XR and Spatial Computing (JMXR)
Date Submitted: Aug 4, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Aug 25, 2026 - Oct 20, 2026
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Extended Reality for Mental Health and Well-Being Improvement Among Persons Deprived of Liberty: Scoping Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
In detention centers around the world, traditional prison rehabilitation methods have been enhanced with the use of extended reality (XR) technologies to improve mental health care, education, job training, monitor psychological wellbeing, and prepare inmates for social reintegration
Objective:
This scoping review aimed to map the extended reality (XR) applications developed for use by persons deprived of liberty (PDL), describing their capacities, impacts, challenges, and limitations, as well as future perspectives on their use
Methods:
A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines using scientific literature published in Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, Taylor & Francis, and IEEE Xplore over the last ten years. Two independent reviewers carried out study selection and inclusion, with inter-rater agreement quantified using Cohen's Kappa coefficient (κ=0.418); disagreements were resolved through discussion and third-reviewer adjudication
Results:
The incorporation of extended reality technologies in prison environments strengthens individual rehabilitation processes and generates social benefits by reducing recidivism, fostering community cohesion, and optimizing institutional resources, promoting more effective reintegration. Included studies addressed mental health and substance-use interventions, aggression and behavior management, family interaction, spiritual and emotional wellbeing, training and skills development, and empathy and awareness, alongside recurring technical, financial, ethical, and cultural implementation barriers
Conclusions:
XR technologies show positive impacts on both citizen security and sustainable social development when applied to prison rehabilitation, but the evidence base remains heterogeneous and would benefit from more rigorous, larger-scale studies before wide-scale implementation
Citation
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