As inmate populations continue to grow, so do the problems associated with court transportation:

• Transporting inmates to court within the required times
• Maintaining the safety of the public and the security of the inmate population
• Transporting a large number of inmates to a variety of court locations in a cost-effective manner

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office implemented a video arraignment system in 1988 to address the problems. Using fiber optics and the latest available technology, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office is able to conduct video arraignments between the Sheriff's Detention Facility and the Municipal and Justice courtrooms in the Cities of Reno and Sparks.

There are two courtrooms, each capable of seating 50 inmates.  Three deputies are assigned to the two courtrooms.  The system is designed to hold court in two separate locations simultaneously. This eliminates the costs and logistics associated with staffing and maintaining a transportation unit large enough to accommodate this volume. Additionally, by keeping the inmates inside the facility, the safety of court personnel and the general public is not jeopardized.

The annual operating cost of the system is $40,000, excluding personnel salaries.  Considering the high cost of hiring, equipping and training deputies to transport inmates to court, video arraignment saves the County approximately $695,500 annually.