Launch of new remand court video link facility at Canning Vale Prison

27/1/99

Attorney General Peter Foss launched the new remand court video link facility at Canning Vale Prison today.

Mr Foss said the new facility was expected to treble the numbers of prisoners using the system, especially with the introduction of the Acts Amendment (Audio and Video Links) Act 1998 which broadened the powers of WA courts to deal with various matters by video.

"Ten prisoners per day were being processed through the old system at the remand centre, but with this new facility we expect that figure to treble," the Minister said.

"The new legislation gives preferences to prisoners remanded in custody to appear before the court by telelink, for courts to be able to sentence offenders by telelink, and for all courts or tribunals in the State to be able to take video evidence from any equivalent location in Australia or overseas."

Mr Foss said the high technology video-conferencing network would allow for all prisoners on remand for Central Law Court matters to remain at the prison - saving time, resources and money for the prison and judiciary systems.

The use of video-conferencing technology as a court aide had been trialed at the C W Campbell Remand Centre since March 1996, comprising video links with several metropolitan courts and recently made available to the Kalgoorlie Court.

"Prisoners had expressed a general preference for the video remand but a number of factors prevented its full use and precluded realisation of the full potential of the technology," Mr Foss said.

"These procedural, technical and accommodation limitations have now been addressed with the relocation of the video-conferencing facility from the remand centre to the prison.

"To facilitate these changes, the design of the new facility was based on a comprehensive review.

"The objective was to ensure the provision of a quality video suite with the capacity to effectively and efficiently meet the demand and fully utilise the technology. Key users can have confidence in the system and its increased use will reduce prison management issues.

"We have gone from a single video court room with cramped holding cells and awkward procedures, to this new facility of two video courtrooms, Closed Circuit Television Unit surveillance, improved prison waiting areas with recreation and refreshments, two interview rooms and a segregation area for protective security purposes."

Mr Foss said it was of particular note that the construction and fit-out of the facility had relied entirely on skilled prison staff and prisoner labour.

"This has resulted in considerable reductions in costs and provided prisoners with some ownership in the construction of the new facility," he said.

"The murals in the holding cells are a perfect example of the prisoners claiming responsibility of the project."

The Attorney General said video-conferencing meant better security and reducing prisoner movements to and from prisons to courthouses.

The new system had been in operation at the prison for a number of weeks and was greatly welcomed by prisoners, staff and members of the judiciary who had given it their seal of approval.

Mr Foss said when the new facility was not being used for court purposes, other video applications that could be considered included:

·         the provision of tele-medicine and tele-psychiatry to prisoners;

·         improved contact between prisoners and their families in remote locations; and -

·         educational courses which are provided by TAFE and other educational institutions.

Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222