Prison-court video link has mixed results

| 14/07/2014

(CNS): More than two and a half years after teleconferencing facilities were first introduced at HMP Northward, the authorities have begun using the video link when remand prisoners’ cases are mentioned in the court as they progress towards trials or sentencing hearings. However, the facility is having mixed results, the court heard Friday, when three cases were dealt with via video link between the prison and the Grand Court. While local defence attorneys noted that for adjournments or short mentions the video had some advantages, cases are rarely straight forward and the lawyers need to speak with their clients.

On Friday the prison authorities inexplicably transferred a female prisoner from Fairbanks in George Town, a five minute drive from the court, to Northward, a considerably longer journey, to use the video link. Lawyers raised their concerns that they are not able to speak with their clients before or after the hearings, which causes problems for them and they required that all three prisoners were produced for next week’s Grand Court mention list.

The judge noted that so far the video link had enjoyed rather “mixed results” after the custody cases were dealt with on the link.

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Category: Crime

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The video link could replace family visits.  Can't smuggle weed via TV.  Unless Willy Wonka perfected his invention.

    • Anonymous says:

      I like this video link idea and then put the prison on a barge in the middle of the ocean. Hinders escape and people driving past throwing things over the fence. 

  2. Castor says:

    Appearing on video stinks for family and friends along with the lawyers. I speak from personal experience, not here in Cayman, but in Canada where distances are much greater. All should agitate to get rid of this. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Why? (Never having had expereince of it I ask honestly for an expanded answer.)

    • Anonymous says:

      Let it stink for family and friends.  Prison is punishment.  It is meant to stink.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Legalize weed and the prisons will be almost empty. 

    The cost of keeping prisoners and preosecuting suspects is determined by what you consider illegal. There is your saving.

    • Anonymous says:

      Then cayman needs a proper drug rehabilitation facility to house these people housing a minimum of 100 and a very large mental health facility for the remaining drug heads. 

      • Anonymous says:

        You clearly have no knowlegde of soft drugs.

        • Anonymous says:

          I do understand addiction. It is not linked to any particular drug or thing. Whether soft or hard illegal drugs, prescription drugs, drinking, smoking sex, shopping, porn etc. It is an addiction. Cayman has restricted drugs and use of those drugs is a problem amongst young healthy able bodied men. Unemployment and the stereotypical laziness could decrease as well as petty crime if proper drug rehabilitation facilities were in place. 

          Not everyone has an addiction problem who uses drugs, but for the vast majority it is a problem. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Good thinking. Let's legalize spousal assult, theft  and murder and then we can eliminate all the prisons. Is eevrybody arond here brain dead?

  4. Anonymous says:

    The cost to drive to Northward to consult with your client. One of the hidden Government subsidies revealed.

    This isn't a nock. The Legal Aid bill is already huge, but a just society has to pay that bill. Its just an observation that Government had hidden costs in its operations, which developed over years and were never thought about. Now, someone needs to think whether we keep this cost 'hidden' or pay for it forthrightly and, if the later, how?