Court proceedings in Turks and Caicos go high tech
Published on Wednesday, January 16, 2008

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: Court proceedings in the Turks and Caicos islands have stepped up and gone high tech. On Monday, a set of court hearings were conducted via video link from the Magistrate Court in Providenciales, and Her Majesty's Prison in Grand Turk.

This system, promoted by Galmo Williams, Minister of Home Affairs and Public Safety, and the Permanent Secretary for Prisons, has been long in coming. However, could not be put into practice as the relevant legislation was not in place.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news/_files/Image/january11/courthouse2.jpg
Persons in the Providenciales court room watching the video link
For these hearing, the prisoners were taken to a special room at the prison, where in real time via video link, they were able to see and communicate with persons in the Providenciales courtroom.

Peter White, the Prison Change Manager/Superintendent, was in the Provo court, and his Deputy, Lou Taylor and Assistant Superintendent Grant, observing from a special room in Grand Turk, bore witness to this event.

This new system will contribute to considerable savings in the prison's budget, as it will reduce the number of inmates who are being transported to court in Provo by air for short hearings. Additionally, it is intended to bring savings in other areas such as the provision of meals and renting of vehicles while in Provo.

At present, this method will be used for bail hearings and further remand hearings, which normally take five to ten minutes in court time. However, full trials and Preliminary Inquiries will still require the inmate to appear at court in person.

Owing to the proposed expansion of judicial services in Provo, with the additional Magistrate and Supreme Court to be constructed; the prison will be required to service these courts by presenting more inmates. It is therefore possible that along with other measures, the video conferencing system will have to be extended to the additional courts when they become operational.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can you tell me why can't this happen with Fox Hill and even local police stations? Family Islanders can connect with the supreme court.

Chancellor looking at his passport.....think about exchanging it for a British Colony citizenship:shhh:...CG...coming with me?

Court proceedings in Turks and Caicos go high tech
Can you tell me why can't this happen with Fox Hill and even local police stations? Family Islanders can connect with the supreme court.
Chancellor looking at his passport.....think about exchanging it for a British Colony citizenship:shhh:...CG...coming with me?
It is feasible, but the way that I would set it up would be too expensive for their taste.

With redundant fiber optic internet connections (Cable Bahamas and Batelnet) their monthly bill in the two locations (Fox hill and Downtown) combined would be over $2400, unless the government got some sort of waiver to alleviate that cost.

Videoconferencing hardware and two 50" Plasma TV's (better viewing angles) are needed. The microphone setup would have to be estimated on a consulting basis, as the judge, the jury, both sides of the case, and the witness box would all need to have their sound heard clearly.

Basically that is about it and then every morning and afternoon we could avoid having to dodge the police escorted prison buses flying through traffic.

It would be more secure, less risky and would probably pay for itself in the long term.