This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Live television link for courts
13/10/2003
Today, for the first time,
a prisoner at Barlinnie prison in Glasgow will appear for a
formal court hearing without the need to attend in
person.
Live television links have been set
up between Glasgow Sheriff Court and Barlinnie as means of
improving efficiency in the criminal justice system.
The link is the result of
a joint project between the Scottish Court Service and the
Scottish Prison Service and follows legislation passed by
the Scottish Parliament as part of the Criminal Justice
(Scotland) Act 2003.
It will be run as a pilot
for a period of six months but, if successful, the Court
Service will consult on the extension of the operation.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry
said:
"We are committed to providing an
efficient and effective justice system - with more police
on the frontline, effective courts and effective
sentencing. This system will avoid the need for prisoners
to be escorted to court and back again for hearings that
can last for as little as two minutes and will allow
resources to be targeted to where we need them most.
"The use of this link is part of a
drive to make use of technology to modernise the courts and
provide a smarter, quicker criminal justice system.
"Where improvements can be made, they
should be made. This system will allow improvements in time
efficiency and resource management. It will enhance
security and will save disruption to prison routines.
"With the publication of the High
Court Reform Bill and the introduction of television links
as set out in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 we
are driving towards a modern and efficient justice system
and a safer, stronger Scotland."
The cost of the link, approximately
£215,000, has been met jointly by the SCS (40%) and the SPS
(60%) from within current programmed expenditure.