VIDEOCONFERENCING TO REDUCE JAIL OVERCROWDING

 

 

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich

Office:  (213) 974-5555   Cell: (213) 215-5176

E-mail:  tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

 

 

 

   April 28, 2009                                                                           For Immediate Release

 

VIDEOCONFERENCING TO REDUCE JAIL OVERCROWDING

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – To reduce inmate movement for court appearances and visiting purposes, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved videoconferencing for the Sheriff’s Department.  Videoconference technology will begin for the most medically challenged inmates incarcerated in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

 

“The goal is to reduce jail overcrowding, achieve savings through increased efficiencies across the criminal justice system and improve public safety by reducing inmate movement inside and outside of the jail confines,” said Supervisor Antonovich. 

 

Video visitation will be established for high-risk inmates who require individual escorting to and from visiting areas and monitoring during the visitation at both secure and public visiting areas at Men’s' Central Jail, Century Regional Detention Facility, North County Correctional Facility, Twin Towers and San Dimas Sheriff's Station. 

 

The first stage of the video arraignment program will primarily include inmates who are severely medically challenged, occupy the most costly beds in the jail system and are more challenging to transport to and from court.  This pilot program will be available at the Twin Towers and the Criminal Courts Building in Downtown -- Department 30.

 

The second stage will include other high volume arraignment courtrooms and additional jail facilities that may include Compton Court, Central Jail Arraignment Court and the newly constructed LAPD Metro Jail Facility.  $300,000 will be allocated by the Information Technology Fund to support this program.

 

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