MVC for Criminal Justice System
17 July 2009:
- Contract to supply managed video conferencing facilities
- Centralised Secure Video Conferencing Bridge to support joining-up justice programme
- Solution could reduce costs, increase productivity and improve delivery of justice
14 July 2009: Cable&Wireless Worldwide today announces it has signed a new, multi-million pound framework agreement with the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) to provide video conferencing technology. The new agreement provides for a Managed Video Conferencing (MVC) service to be used on a range of programmes across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to help speed up, streamline and improve the delivery of justice.
Cable&Wireless was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process. The agreement will ensure video conferencing can be supported across the CJS wherever it is the most effective and efficient means of carrying out criminal justice business and supports a number of programmes that are being piloted or rolled-out nationally, including:
- Virtual Courts - MVC will be implemented between police custody suites and magistrates' courts in this new initiative which aims to speed up first hearings. A Virtual Court enables a defendant, who is charged in a police custody suite, to appear in a magistrates' court for a first hearing whilst still physically located in the Police Station. This reduces the time from charge to first hearing from days to just a few hours. Virtual Courts will only be used for first hearings, not for trials, although it could see sentencing handed down on the same day if a defendant pleads guilty. The solution is being piloted at 15 police stations across London using video conferencing links to Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court. A second pilot site in North Kent will launch later in the summer.
- Prison to Court video links - MVC has been implemented to reduce the need to transport prisoners to hearings.
- Video links to aid evidence in court - MVC has been implemented to improve the availability of witness evidence - especially from police and expert witnesses - and provides support for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Using video conferencing removes potential physical barriers such as time, distance, inaccessibility and cost as well as conflicting personal and professional responsibilities.
- Offender Management - Traditional video conferencing model allowing probation officers to speak to their subjects without the time and expense of travel.
Commenting, Jim Marsh, Chief Executive Officer, Cable&Wireless Worldwide, said: "The Managed Video Conferencing solution we're providing will radically change the way evidence is given. This is a good example of the versatility of our market-leading Managed Video Conferencing proposition, and how it addresses a number of business critical issues."
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Contacts:
Cable&Wireless
Natalie Easson PR Manager +44 (0)7717 427 418
Katie Dove Head of UK PR +44 (0)7733 392 514
C&W Press Office +44 (0)1344 818 888
Notes to editors
About the Office for Criminal Justice Reform
The Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) is the cross-departmental team that supports all criminal justice agencies in working together to provide an improved service to the public. As a cross-departmental organisation, OCJR reports to Ministers in the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and the Attorney General's Office. OCJR's goal is to deliver the National Criminal Justice Board's vision of what the Criminal Justice System will look like in 2011. It will do this by providing Local Criminal Justice Boards with the overall framework and guidance to facilitate reform at a local level.
For more information about the Criminal Justice System, go to http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/
About Cable&Wireless
Cable and Wireless plc is one of the world's leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units - Cable&Wireless Worldwide Worldwide and CWI.
The Worldwide business (formerly Europe, Asia & US) specialises in offering high quality communications services such as IP, data, voice and hosting to large enterprise, reseller and carrier customers. It operates globally, with core markets in UK, Asia and EMEA, and provides connectivity in 153 countries.
CWI is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four regional operations the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands delivering world class service and efficiency. CWI is a full-service telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service solutions.
For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com
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