Press Release  Audit Finds Technology Investments Could Enhance Service Delivery at Hampden Sheriff’s Department

Boston — State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump today released an audit of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department that found investments in and utilization of videoconferencing technology could reduce transportation costs for the law enforcement agency and improve public safety.

During the 18-month audit period, the Hampden Sheriff’s Department spent an estimated $2.2 million in payroll costs transporting inmates housed at the Hampden County Jail and House of Corrections in Ludlow and the Western Massachusetts Regional Women’s Correctional Center (WCC) in Chicopee to medical appointments, court events, and outside correctional services.  Court events accounted for 74 percent of inmate transportation stops.

“Our audit found that the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department effectively transported inmates safely and securely - and I commend them for that,” said State Auditor Suzanne Bump. “During the course of our audit, we also learned that in 2007, WCC was wired for videoconferencing and had just received the needed equipment from the Trial Court to begin using the technology for some court appearances if judges allow for it. As the Hampden Sheriff pointed out, I too look forward to the potential benefits the use of this technology can bring about, not only a reduction in transportation costs, but also any public safety risks posed by transporting inmates to and from secure facilities while also preserving a defendant’s constitutional rights.”

WCC provides secure facilities, and therefore transportation, for female inmates from Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Worcester counties, as well as other Department of Corrections facilities, in addition to the inmates it houses from Hampden County, leading to an increased number of inmate transports.

During the audit, the Hampden County Jail and House of Corrections was also being retrofitted with fiber-optic wiring necessary to support videoconferencing. During the audit period, Hampden Sheriff’s Department vehicles logged 534,200 miles and made 12,803 stops from the Hampden County Jail and House of Corrections.

“I applaud the Executive Office of the Trial Court for making this technology available to regional law enforcement like the Hampden Sheriff’s Department,” said Bump. “It’s a great example of how we can use technology to improve government services. I encourage law enforcement entities and the Judiciary to continue to work together in order to expand the use of new and innovative technologies that could save money and improve safety. ”

According to the Executive Office of the Trial Court’s 2014 annual report, Worcester County and four other counties in Massachusetts held a combined total of approximately 4,000 hearings by videoconferencing that year.

The Office of the State Auditor conducts performance audits of state government’s programs, departments, agencies, authorities, contracts, and vendors. With its reports, the OSA issues recommendations to improve accountability, efficiency, and transparency.

The Hampden Sheriff's Department - Administration of Inmate Transportation audit is available here.

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