NSW: Video system for jails saves money

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2005
NSW: Video system for jails saves money

SYDNEY, Feb 14 AAP - The state government has saved more than $3 million by sending
prisoners to court by video link, new figures show.

Justice Minister John Hatzistergos said 15,400 inmates had appeared in court through
video conferencing, reducing the need for more than 30,000 transfers.

"This represents an estimated cost saving of more than $3 million a year by avoiding
the need to transport inmates away from correctional centres to appear in court," he said.

Escapes have also dropped.

"The video conferencing system has played a part in reducing the escape rate to its
present record low of 0.3 escapes per 100 inmates, down from two in 1994-1995," Mr Hatzistergos
said.

The system also allows families to stay in contact with prisoners in different parts
of the state.

Mr Hatzistergos said Shine For Kids, a charitable organisation, used the system to
help children have contact with family members.

"Since family video conferencing was introduced in 2003, more than 100 inmates have
used the video link to strengthen relations previously strained by distance or an inmate's
lengthy sentence," he said.

The system is already operational in most major jails, with a further four to follow
at Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre, Dillwynia Women's Centre, the High Risk Management
Unit at Goulburn Correctional centre and a second studio at Parklea Correctional Centre.

AAP jcg/rs |

KEYWORD: VIRTUAL

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