by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
For the past five months, Public Defenders in the Fourth Judicial Circuit have been able to see and talk to clients at the Pre-trial Detention Facility three blocks away without leaving their desks thanks to a teleconferencing system that connects the two locations. At the time it was predicted the new technology would save time and money as well as make the attorney-client experience more secure and convenient.
Last week, the success of that project led to taking the latest technology to the next level.
A new Web-based video network that can connect state mental health care facilities with Public Defender’s Offices throughout Florida debuted last week at the Public Defender’s Office in Jacksonville, the first site in the state to be connected. While the system won’t be fully operational for a couple of weeks, it was ready for a demonstration by the Dept. of Children and Families for a group of law enforcement officials, attorneys and clinicians.
Gene Costlow, DCF project manager for the new system said it’s not a revolutionary concept, but it’s new to Florida.
“I’ve seen similar systems used in New York and Nebraska. We were inspired to try it at this office in Jacksonville based on how well the network to the jail has worked here.”
He also said the biggest challenge involved in setting up the network was ensuring the connections would be secure and unable to be compromised in terms of confidentiality between the patient and the attorney.
“We have installed multiple firewalls for the City network, the State network and the Internet,” said John Sheats, DCF Sr. Network Systems Analyst, who added the system will eventually be able to connect as many as 12 locations simultaneously.
Costlow said the $100,000 pilot program is currently connected to four state hospital facilities and the Fourth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, but he expects as word gets around other Public Defender’s Offices will request the service as well.
“Using the system may not be appropriate for all patients and all situations, but we believe improved communication will lead to better treatment for the patients and enhance the interaction between them and their attorneys.”
Public Defender Bill White said he expects to see an immediate advantage to having the state-wide videoconferencing system. He said it will take a while for the system to have a track record, but he’s confident having it available will reduce the State’s costs based on just one facility the attorneys in his office visit on a regular basis.
Many of the PDO’s clients are held at the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia, south of Tampa, so it’s a six-hour drive each way to see a client. White estimated each trip results in an average of $425 in travel expenses, a little less if two attorneys can travel together and both meet clients at the facility.
Assistant Public Defender Kelly Pappa represents clients at Arcadia. She said she is looking forward to videoconferencing.
“I’ve only been in this division for about four months and I’ve made two trips to Arcadia. There will still be times when we will travel to meet clients but the system will save a lot of time and money while allowing us to maintain a face-to-face relationship.”
After she witnessed the demonstration of DCF’s new system, Tara Wildes, chief of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Jail Division, said she believes the DCF system will be as effective as the local link that’s been in use since April.
“The first one worked out so wonderfully because it has enabled inmates to have more contact with their attorneys with greatly increased security. It’s one of the few projects we’ve ever worked on where everybody is happy with it.”
Wildes also pointed out that if the attorney doesn’t travel to the patient for a meeting, the alternative is for the patient to travel to the attorney, so videoconferencing can have advantages for both parties.
“As good a job as we can do in the jails, the State Hospital is a much more therapeutic environment,” she said.
Dr. Ernie Miller is a forensic psychiatrist who has worked on criminal cases for years. He said he’s uniquely qualified to comment on the development of the technology and the efficacy of the new videoconferencing movement, since the first time he saw a TV was when his grandmother took him to the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. He thinks taking advantage of the Internet is part of a natural progression.
“The advance of Google proves it’s where we’re going. Doctors don’t use the Physicians Desk Reference anymore. Attorneys don’t need law libraries any more because it’s all available on-line. It’s an irresistible force,” said Miller.