system.

Magistrate Ed King and defendant Kawefi Wilson were the pioneers for the big switch-on between the Parliament Street courts building and Westgate Correctional Centre.

The TV system, which uses cameras and screens at both locations, will save time and money with prisoners able to make remand appearances without leaving Westgate.

Courts manager Tracy Kelly said the procedure was flawless and will pave the way for many more "appearances'' for prisoners who normally have to appear every two weeks for a rollover remand.

Mr. King was able to communicate with the prisoner and vice-versa during the hearing, which was conducted from a special room at Westgate.

At present between 20 and 30 rollover remands are processed each month and Mr.

Kelly said he hoped they would be doing many more TV link-ups in the days to come.

He said there was a possibility that multiple remands could be done, saving prison officers the time and expense of transporting their charges into Hamilton.