Los Angeles County Justice Inmate Video Conferencing System

The Los Angeles County Justice Inmate Video Conferencing System is a multi-agency program comprised of the L.A. Co. Public Defender's Office, the Probation Department, the Sheriff's Department and the Internal Services Department (Project Team). The Project Team was responsible for developing the equipment specifications within budget constraints while at the same time addressing the fact that interviewee equipment had to be basically indestructible. It also wanted the interviewer equipment to be as easy to use as an ATM machine. The final interviewer unit includes a customized touch screen pad that allows the interviewer to select a location by name and automatically connect with the jail unit. The system has been in place since August 2000 and is now in full operation. As implemented, the video-conferencing project provides a viable alternative to jail visits, with the potential to allow 600 Public Defender and 455 Probation Department staff to video-interview any one of 21,000 inmates. Approximately 450 video interviews are conducted per week with an average trip savings of 47 miles per trip, most of which occur during peak travel hours. Current mileage saved is 21,150 miles per week. The Project Team anticipates more than 600 interviews per week will be conducted once the Scheduling System is in full operation. Having completed the project, the team has identified three actual obstacles/limitations when implementing the project: 1)scheduling software difficulties; 2) countywide transition from old methods to new video; and 3) adherence to protocols and procedures.