Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Access To Evidence topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prison board approves three laptops so inmates can view discovery
Summary
The board approved purchasing three laptops so incarcerated defendants can view discovery materials in a secured classroom environment; staff described the existing flash-drive workflow and log-based recordkeeping.
The Lackawanna County Prison Board approved purchasing three laptops to allow incarcerated defendants to view discovery materials more effectively.
Deputy Warden Colleen Horsell told the board, "We need to purchase a couple laptop computers for inmates for them to be able to, view their discovery." She said attorneys or the district attorney's office send flash drives to the deputy warden, the shift commander keeps a folder or log of inmates with drives, and inmates are scheduled to use classroom computers to view the material. Horsell said the jail does not have an inmate sign-off form but keeps a log "of the inmates that view it."
Board members and the deputy warden said newer laptops should hold larger video and photo files and could streamline the process, which county officials said may help move cases along and, in some instances, reduce days in custody. The board moved, seconded and approved the purchase by voice vote.
