As a means to improve efficiency while ensuring a prisoner's civil rights, may justice systems are installing an innovative uses of video conferencing. This cost-effective and flexible solution has been implemented in a number of diverse applications in the U.S. justice system and is expanding quickly beyond the initial uses of video arraignment. For example it is often used in courtrooms to provide a valid means of remote testimony for sensitive witness, such as children or abuse victims. It is regularly implemented to streamline legal proceeding for plea-bargaining, parole hearings, and psychological evaluations.

With the software application developed by Brinckmann & Associates for the Intel TeamStation Video Conferencing System, the criminal justice systems are taking advantage of the new technology and equipment that dramatically reduces the cost of the video arraignment system to less than $12,000 per location. The added flexibility of the systems open architecture means that it operates across a variety of transmission mediums, including Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), local area networks (LANs) wide area networks (WAN's) and "Wireless Bridge" technology.

Applications

• Arraignments
• Initial appearances
• Plea-bargaining
• Parole hearings
• Psychological evaluations
• Pre-trial conferences
• Line-ups and interview

Benefits

• Increased security and safety
• Increased personal efficiency
• Reduced escape opportunity
• Reduced transportation costs
• Reduced delays in proceedings
• Reduced overcrowding of holding facilities
• Reduced need for high level court security
• Reduced contact with potentially contagious disease

During booking, each prisoners is escorted into separate rooms where an arraignment judge, via the network, charges the prisoner with the offense. While prisoners are escorted back the their cell, the judge connects to the next video arraignment room, safely and efficiently processing the days docket load. Connections to systems in the District Attorney's and Public Defender's offices supply access to legal representation, and provides a means for orderly courtroom proceedings.

Arraignment Room System

• Protected behind security glass
• Simplified custom interface with automatic connecting and disconnecting - requiring no user interaction

Arraignment Judge System

• Easy to use Interface
• Remote and Local Camera Controls

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