Governor Rell: $1.7M in Federal Funds to

Expand Video Hearings for Inmates

Technology Saves Money, Cuts Risks of Prisoner Transfers

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state Department of Correction and the Judicial Branch are receiving federal grants totaling $1.7 million to enhance the use of video conferencing between prisons and courthouses across the state – a tool that saves the state money and reduces the risks of moving potentially dangerous prisoners.

            The money means the program – currently used primarily for civil matters – can be expanded to additional criminal cases. The Board of Pardons and Paroles, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Social Security Administration and other agencies are also conducting hearings with the state’s prisons via video conferencing.

            “We are looking for every conceivable way to save money,” Governor Rell said. “Moving thousands of inmates to court hearings and other proceedings each month is costly – not only is there the expense of the transportation itself but the staff involved is not available when they are waiting at a courthouse for the hearing to be conducted. It is not unusual for the process to require the use of costly overtime. It is also inherently dangerous anytime an offender has to be removed from a secure correctional facility.

            “Video hearings are truly a high-tech benefit for taxpayers in our state,” the Governor said. “This is a great example of using technology to cut costs and make government more effective.”

            The grants will allow for the purchase and installation of additional video conferencing equipment at the state’s 18 correctional facilities and at 13 Judicial District Courthouses, 13 Geographical Area Courthouses, 11 Juvenile Matters Courthouses and 21 regional Court Support Services Division offices. Currently the Judicial Branch has only six court facilities equipped for video conferencing.

            The expanded use of video conferencing was recommended by the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission. The Office of Policy and Management will be administrating the funds, which include a $1.1 million Justice Assistance Grant and $600,000 from the federal stimulus.