Virtual appearances are now the norm for many P.E.I. court proceedings

Many people who "appear" in court these days in P.E.I. don't actually physically go to courtrooms. 

They appear virtually instead, on a large TV screen set up in front of the judge's bench, with two-way video and audio so that questions can be asked and answered. 

"Virtual court has been a game changer for us, " said Scott McCabe, the manager of the Provincial Correctional Centre on Sleepy Hollow Road in the Milton area, where many inmates are housed before and between court appearances. 

"It's certainly saved us a great deal of money [and] time, and provides much better safety and security." 

The system became necessary during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person interactions were severely limited. Now it's the norm. 

Both the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island and P.E.I.'s provincial courts use an in-house television system and Zoom regularly — not just with accused people but also with lawyers, witnesses, and others involved in criminal or civil cases. 

Staff used to have to transport accused individuals from jail cells to courtrooms in Charlottetown, Summerside or Georgetown for all mandatory court appearances. 

McCabe said the staffing savings alone from video appearances is significant; they once had four staff dedicated to transporting people on court days. 

In safety terms, staff are no longer transporting inmates who may be high-risk, and there's less risk of escape.  

Chief Sheriff George Doyle said the holding cells at the courthouse in Charlottetown are mostly empty now, and they worry less about dangerous behaviour from inmates during court proceedings. 

"We've had inmates in the courtroom... become extremely upset and very aggressive ... whether they don't like what's transpired in court, and they don't like what their lawyer may have told them, or what the Crown may be seeking — and that falls upon the sheriffs to react," said Doyle. 

"We don't have those same situations anymore." 

The Provincial Correctional Centre has set up two rooms with cameras for accused individuals to appear virtually until later stages in the trial process, where they do have to report in person at the courthouse.  

McCabe believes many inmates prefer the virtual format and the fact that it's just a quick walk down a hallway. There's no waiting around, and they can continue on with programs immediately after appearing virtually.