Video Cameras to Link Local Courtroom, Jail

The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved funding at its regular business meeting for a video arraignment system for the Orange County Jail.

Cameras will be placed in the jail and in the courtroom, meaning the inmates won't have to leave jail when they receive their first appearance before a judge.

Orange County Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass said he advocates this program as a safety issue.

"Orange County has a courthouse that's across the street from the jail, and in the morning we'll have as many as 15 to 20 first appearances," Pendergrass said. "We have to walk them across the street. It's not safe, and it's demeaning."

Pam Jones of the Orange County Purchasing Department said the county saw the video arraignment system as a safety precaution as well. She said the county was interested in the program's ability to save time.

"There is always a little bit of vulnerability walking the prisoners across the street," she said. "The county's always open to doing things more efficiently."

Pendergrass agreed, saying it takes a good deal of manpower to move the prisoners from the jail to the courthouse.

The Selectrocom Corp., located in Greensboro, will install three cameras in the courtroom for the judge, the district attorney and the defense attorney.

A 27-inch monitor will be placed in the courtroom to be shared by the district attorney and the defense attorney. There will be a smaller monitor for the judge.

The judge will have a control panel on his bench. Another camera and monitor will be installed in the visitation area of the jail. Telephone cables owned by the county will connect the two sites.

The system will cost $29,990 and is being paid for by a combination of funds.

Orange County Manager John Link said the system is funded in part by the drug forfeiture fund, which comes from the sale of materials and equipment seized during drug arrests.

Pendergrass said the Sheriff's Department also applied for a grant from the Governor's Crime Commission. He said the department applied several days ago and hopes to hear back from the commission in the next two to three weeks. Some money also will come from the regular county budget, he said.

Link said the cameras will be used routinely, but it is left to the judge's discretion. "My understanding is that these could be any level of suspect," Link said. "It's up to the judge. The judge may require the suspect to come to the courthouse."

But the system will only be used for first appearances only, Pendergrass said.

Orange County discovered the benefits of the system by observing those in Wake, Alamance, Randolph and Guilford counties. "There are a number of examples around the state," Jones said. "We spoke firsthand to some of the locals, and it did seem to work well for them."

In addition to installation time, Jones said modifications need to be made to the judge's bench.

"It would be wonderful if it would go into use tomorrow, but it will probably take about 60 days," Pendergrass said. "All of the judges will be very glad to have it."

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