The Michigan Supreme Court has announced that the deployment of videoconferencing equipment in 780 courtrooms and other hearing rooms has saved the Michigan Department of Corrections $14.7 million since 2010.
Annual savings have climbed from $649,000 in fiscal year 2011 to $4.3 million in the 2015 fiscal year.
Savings in 2016 are expected to reach $4.8 million.
“By facilitating the virtual transport of prisoners for routine hearings, videoconferencing is saving money and reducing risk statewide for the Department of Corrections,” said Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr.
“Beyond the cost savings,” Young said, “benefits to local law enforcement include freeing up officers to focus on road patrol and other duties to enhance public safety.”
By the end of year, the project is expected to achieve a goal of video equipment in every Michigan courtroom with a judge, according to Young.
This goal has already been achieved in 81 counties, with Wayne and Washtenaw counties to be completed this calendar year.
Since 2010, more than 18,000 state prisoners have been “transported” to court via video, and use of the video equipment is expected to grow.
Last year, the court expanded the ability of trial courts to use videoconferencing equipment in civil proceedings with the adoption of MCR 2.407.
Additional revisions are under consideration to expand use of the equipment in additional types of cases and in more types of hearings. Officials said those revisions will be on the agenda of the court’s September public hearing.
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