The Pittsburg Post-Gazette reported that the program lets judges teleconference with inmates in county jail, eliminating transportation costs and long jail stays for those able to post bail.
Criminal division administrative Judge Donna Jo McDaniel estimated that on one day the program saved the county roughly $81,000 because 15 of the 24 inmates she heard were released on bond. According to McDaniel, jailing them would cost $60 per day, and awaiting bond hearings for months is a waste of time, money and state resources.
The video conferencing system works by a bond officer presenting each case to the judge on screen from the jail, while the inmate and public defender stand to one side. If the inmate has a private attorney, they can communicate with via television from the courtroom.
The judge and assistant district attorney can also watch and interact with the on-screen broadcast.
