What Is Orijin?
Orijin, formerly known as American Prison Data Systems (APDS), is a pioneering educational technology company dedicated to transforming correctional facilities across the U.S. Founded in 2014 and rebranded in 2018, Orijin is the ORIGINal Ed Tech company providing secure tablet computers linked to a powerful cloud-based learning and communications platform. Their mission? To equip justice-impacted individuals with the skills and tools they need for successful reentry and long-term career sustainability. It’s about rewriting life stories and breaking the cycle of incarceration through education, technology, and human-centered design.
Main Benefits of Orijin’s Platform
Orijin’s impact speaks volumes. Here are some key figures that highlight their success:
- 95% increase in access to education and technology within correctional facilities.
- 90% pass rate for the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certificate among learners.
- 30% boost in graduation rates at juvenile facilities.
- 43% decrease in recidivism, showing real change in lives.
- 130% increase in GED pass rates, opening doors to new opportunities.
How Orijin Supports Justice-Impacted Individuals
Orijin’s platform isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. The company partners with correctional facilities and employers to provide tailored educational programs that meet the unique needs of justice-impacted individuals. By focusing on skills-based learning and sustainable employment, Orijin helps learners prepare for life beyond incarceration. The approach reduces recruitment and retention costs for employers while empowering learners to build meaningful careers. It’s education with a purpose, designed to foster social integration and long-term success.
Leadership and Workforce Diversity
The leadership at Orijin is a diverse group of experts from education, technology, and related fields, all committed to driving positive outcomes for justice-impacted individuals. Notably, 15% of Orijin’s workforce is justice-impacted themselves, bringing invaluable perspectives and lived experience to the table. This diversity fuels innovation and ensures the company stays true to its mission of creating real, lasting change in the criminal justice system.
Technology That Transforms Correctional Facilities
Orijin’s secure tablets and cloud-based learning management system turn correctional facilities into outcome-focused educational environments. The admin portal offers real-time tracking and data-driven insights, making it easier to manage educational programs and optimize learner engagement. This tech-forward approach addresses some of the most pressing challenges in corrections, from limited access to quality education to the need for effective program management.
Orijin’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Quality Education (SDG 4): Expanding access to education and skills training for justice-impacted individuals.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Preparing learners for sustainable employment opportunities.
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Supporting social integration and reducing barriers faced by justice-impacted populations.
- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16): Contributing to criminal justice reform and reducing recidivism.
Recognition and Future Outlook
Orijin’s innovative work has not gone unnoticed. Named a 2025 Innovator to Watch by Jobs for the Future (JFF) and ranked No. 4 in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 in the Education category, Orijin continues to push boundaries. Their evidence-based, data-driven approach is reshaping how education and technology intersect within corrections. With a B Corp score of 125, Orijin stands out as a socially responsible company committed to making a difference—one learner at a time.
