Courts Turn to Video Conferencing Following Atlanta Shootings

By Harold German

In the wake of the tragic shootings that took place in an Atlanta courthouse earlier this month, it is unequivocally clear that there is now a widespread effort by numerous counties to significantly enhance courtroom security. Most counties are addressing the security issue through technology, and the type that appears to be implemented the most is video conferencing. Already in use by legal systems throughout the world, video conferencing is revolutionizing the way cases are tried in America today. By simply installing one video conferencing system at the courthouse and another at the jail, incarcerated defendants can participate in all legal procedures without the municipality enduring the costs and dangers associated with jail-to-courthouse prisoner transport.

The monetary savings to a county become clear when one considers that costly resources need to be allocated, such as: several policemen, a vehicle, courthouse security, gasoline and tolls, among others. Depending on several factors, among them the distance of the courthouse to the jail and geographic location, these costs can sometimes reach into the thousands, even for just one trip. Over the course of a year, the result is a hefty bill that video conferencing aims to eliminate. In October of 2003, the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance, at the request of the Badger State Sheriff's Association, which represents sheriff departments in various Wisconsin counties, initiated a study into the possible time and cost-saving benefits of video conferencing. The study revealed a savings of about $2.7 million if all counties used the technology. That data, along with the obvious security benefits, was enough for Wisconsin's Green County to move 'full speed ahead' with video conferencing.

Like many courthouses, Green County's proposed video conferencing system had been in the planning stages for quite some time and the incident in Atlanta proved to be the spark needed to move the project forward.

Continued >>

Explore the World with
Video Conferencing

When schools get started with video conferencing, many ask themselves what resources are available to connect to educational content. Here is an excellent list of organizations that allow any classroom to explore the world around them:

BRONX ZOO

http://www.bronxzoo.org

Reservations: e-mail DistanceLearning@wcs.org or call 718-220-5131. $125 fee maximum of 35 students participating in one conference video-taping not permitted, must reserve 3 weeks in advance; lessons include extensive teacher support materials. Lessons Currently Available:

• K - 3 Animal Colors 45 minutes
• K - 3 Moves and Meals 45 minutes
• K - 3 Size and Shapes 45 minutes
• 4 - 6 Food Webs 60 minutes
• 5 - 8 Awesome Adaptations 60 minutes
• 7 -12 Gorillas, Gentle Giants in Crisis 60 minutes

Continued >>

Overcoming Secure Visual Communication Obstacles

Deploying visual communication services over an IP network? Concerned about security? Security and investment are two of the top concerns when deploying visual communication services over IP, and organizations are looking for a practical solution that does not require costly infrastructure upgrades. Read this whitepaper and get the answers you need.

Read the white paper >>