Courts director seeks
'systemic accountability'

Steven Canterbury

February 21, 2006

After eight years running the regional jail system Steven Canterbury wants to use technology to bring the same type of 'systemic accountability' to the state courts.

Appointed as court administrator in May by the Supreme Court of Appeals, Canterbury oversees the administrative needs of the high court and all the judicial circuits in the state. "That includes magistrates and family courts," he said.

The ten regional jails were completed during his previous job as director of the Regional and Correctional Facility Authority. Regional and Correctional Facility Authority.

"West Virginia has the only centrally-administered system in the country," he said.

"The facilities are secure and efficient." A video conference system provides for arraignment before local magistrates without transportation from the regional jail site. The savings in travel and time is about $1,250,000 per year.

As courts "supply clerk" -- his own phrase -- he now is combining new technology and common sense to improve the judicial side of law enforcement, an operation of more than 1,200 employees.

"Many of the magistrates in the state have computers that were bought in 1982. That was before DOS! They are little more than glorified word processers," he told Putnam Rotarians in their luncheon meeting today.

One magistrate requested a printer with her new computer. A quick check had shown there was really no problem with the printer. The magistrate just wanted a new one with her new computer. The director sent her a new connecting cable instead.

How does Canterbury save money while turning lives around? Technology will play a major role, he told the group at Sleepy Hollow.

There is no way to know the monies taken in by magistrates -- at least until a year of two after the fact. There is no way to collect timely information on convictions and types of felonies committed. There is no quick way a judge can determine need to provide legal counsel for a defendant. "And in juvenile cases, judges need ready access to information at the DHHR."

Evaluation of effectiveness and need at the local level is difficult to determine, he said. Some cases require much more time and work than others.

Technology can be utilized to bridge these gaps, Canterbury told the group.

He also tossed out kudos for the progressive stance taken in Putnam with probation arrangements.

In many local cases the probation time "belongs to the probation officer," he said.

"Putnam probation officers have been empowered," said Canterbury. If the probation officer tests and finds drugs in the system of someone under court supervision, the person goes directly to jail. "There is no need for a court hearing, and no opportunity for a high-priced lawyer to intervene. Next time the consequences become more severe."

The court encourages addicts to overcome their addiction, and save jail space for violent criminals.