Prison to get audiovisual link

The days of Manawatu¯ Prison inmates refusing to go to the courthouse are numbered, with technology set to let them appear in court while staying inside the wire.

The Palmerston North District Court has had a smattering of incidents recently where inmates have refused to leave their cells in the Linton-based prison to appear in court.

Judges have expressed their annoyance, saying defendants have to appear, while lawyers have been left in the awkward position of not being able to progress cases.

If a prisoner refuses to go to court, they are not compelled.

Manawatu¯ is one of two prisons not to have the technology installed. The other is Tongariro Prison.

But the situation is set to change for Manawatu¯ Prison, where audio-visual equipment is to be installed in the next two years, Corrections confirmed yesterday.

Chief custodial officer Neil Beales said the money would be used to create audio-visual suites, which could have a range of uses.

While court hearings would take priority, they could also be used for Parole Board hearings, talking to prison officials in other locations, or even organising visits.

‘‘If you have a youth who cannot get their family [to the prison], the do have the possibility of the family going to a probation centre and using an audio-visual link there to talk to their relatives,’’ Beales said.

‘‘It helps enable contact, but, more importantly, safe contact with wha¯ nau and friends.’’

Concerns have been raised about audio-visual links in courts, most notably by Chief Justice Sian Elias in her speech to the Criminal Bar Association Conference in August.

Elias said there was a ‘‘risk of the blurring of the distinct role of the courts’’, as people may see court as an extension of government, rather than separate to it, if audio-visual links were used too much.

There was also a law change that meant procedural hearings from March onwards should be dealt with via audio-visual link, unless evidence was being called or it was contrary to the interests of justice.

Beales said the response from inmates to audio-visual technology had been largely positive.

‘‘I have witnessed it myself when a prisoner is not wanting to go to court, because they don’t want to sit in a cell or have a visit planned.

‘‘[An audio-visual link means] they aren’t having to wake up particularly early to get transported to the court, sit in a holding cell for a long time, have their case called, then sit in the cell again for a long time until they’re taken back to prison.’’

An inmate who went to court may miss working in the prison employment schemes, taking part in rehabilitation programmes, or a visit from a loved one, Beales said.

But appearing via audio-visual link meant they could be taken to the suite, have their court appearance, then get back to what they were doing, he said.

Beales said the audio-visual link was also good for prison staff and public safety.

There were savings in not having to transport so many inmates to court by van, and lower chances of an escape, he said.

‘‘It is to everyone’s benefit when things are working in a smooth an efficient manner.’’

The scheme had proved especially popular, with audiovisual suites used about 1700 times a month, Beales said. ‘‘The more we can increase that the better.’’