Videoconferencing saving time, money for Jackson Co.

By Amy Sienicki, News Watch 12
5/19/09

MEDFORD, Oregon — As states look to reduce their budgets, many are turning to videoconferencing as a way to save time and money.

Jackson County has used videoconferencing in its jail and courthouse for more than two years. It is used for arraignments, sentencings, and expert witness testimonies.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says the process helps ensure jail security. Instead of bringing inmates from the jail to the courthouse for arraignments, inmates appear before the judge through videoconferencing. As many as 40 inmates can be arraigned in a day.

"If we were to take them over to court, that's going to tie up possibly four officers. It does create security risks for us, so it's a lot safer for the sheriff's office," says Lt. Brian Anderson with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Allowing the use of expert witness testimony through video conferencing significantly cuts down on transportation costs, and allows testimony from around the world.

For additional information on how your organization can realize the cost savings and benefits provided by video conferencing, call 1-800-224-7083, or e-mail info@ivci.com, or click here to have an IVCi Representative contact you.

All trade names, trademarks, and/or service marks herein are owned by their respective holders.