Summit County introduces new Virtual Courtoom
SUMMIT COUNTY — Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division and Sheriff Kandy Fatheree recently launched the $12 million Virtual Courtroom project to propel Summit County’s criminal justice system forward with efficient, secure technology. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual courtroom allows court staff to hold criminal call days and other proceedings completely remote, saving time, money and increasing safety for deputies, court staff, inmates and all other parties involved.
“The pandemic challenged us to be adaptable, and this recognition helped us discover different avenues to best serve our residents,” said Shapiro. “Between attorneys, inmates and their families and our court and jail staff, so many people are affected by the criminal justice system. Investing in technology that allows us to be safer and more efficient just makes sense.”
Before the pandemic, inmates were transported from the jail to the court for each call day. When the pandemic began, closed-circuit television (CCTV) was used to videoconference from the jail. Sound quality was not ideal, judges were only able to see one individual at a time and travel time across the jail increased security risks. All 10 Common Pleas General Division judges shared just two kiosks at the jail, while four of 10 courtrooms had zero technological capability.
“The COVID pandemic forced us to quickly reevaluate how we were doing things at the jail,” said Fatheree. “The initial CCTV system we developed served its purpose at the time, but the updates and investments we have made since then have truly moved us into the future. The virtual courtroom will make court proceedings faster and more efficient. It will also dramatically reduce the number of inmate transports, which improves the safety of my deputies, results in a significant savings to Summit County residents and is better for the environment.”
The virtual courtroom utilizes brand-new, custom scheduling software that integrates with both the court and jail management system and there are now 23 rooms throughout the jail equipped to use the technology in conjunction with all 10 Common Pleas General Division courtrooms.
To run the operation, the Common Pleas Court General Division has hired eight full-time staff members, including seven technology bailiffs and a supervisor stationed at the jail.
“The Common Pleas General Division judges are excited to be at the forefront of these new technology upgrades. Like all public institutions, we are always looking to enhance our operations and seek solutions that better serve those interacting with the criminal justice system,” said Administrative Judge Kathryn Michael.
The project also included the expansion of Summit Connects, linking the criminal justice system to Fairlawn Gig and providing the Common Pleas Court General Division and Summit County Jail with secure, high-speed internet.
Ohio incarcerated population pursue University of Akron degrees/work experience
AKRON — In a groundbreaking initiative at The University of Akron (UA), Ohio’s prison system is set to offer incarcerated individuals an educational opportunity to receive an associate degree. Upon completion of the program, the incarcerated have been extended a job opportunity working for American Nitrile upon release making medical, non-medical and industrial nitrile gloves.
This collaborative effort between UA, Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) at Madison Correctional Facility, Summit Glove of Minerva and American Nitrile of Grove City is aiming to pave the way for employment opportunities for inmates post-incarceration.
OPI and Summit Glove have partnered with the College of Engineering and Polymer Science at UA to provide online training for inmates. The courses are taught like traditional online courses, providing a back and forth between the professors and students, despite incarceration. Participating students can earn an Associate of Applied Science in Polymer Technology.
Dr. Sadhan Jana, professor in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, expressed his eagerness to share this opportunity. “UA is happy to embrace this opportunity to contribute to the intellectual growth of incarcerated adults while they are serving their time. We are glad that they can get a degree and go take up a job in the polymer industries where there is shortage of such skills.”
Ann King, chief of OPI, said these are not easy courses and the incarcerated students are working hard to earn this degree. OPI is a program through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and employs roughly 1,200 incarcerated adults in 27 different operations around the state. The OPI program seeks to reduce recidivism by enabling incarcerated adults to acquire real life skills and experience that makes them better prepared to maintain employment after they are released.
“Training and education are a big part of what we do every day for our incarcerated workers,” explained King. “Studies show that education, training and certifications are what helps reduce recidivism. So that’s what we are trying to do and what Ohio Penal Industries is all about.”
Summit Glove is working with OPI to build a glove factory at the Madison Correctional Institution in London, Ohio with plans to be in production by spring 2024; and American Nitrile is building a 530,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Grove City and is hoping to accommodate the incarcerated adults upon their release.
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