Information for Lawyers
Access: Defence
What is it?
access: defence is an initiative that allows counsel to book teleconferences with in-custody clients. Dedicated phones have been installed in participating correctional facilities throughout Ontario. The solution benefits counsel by giving them the opportunity to schedule their consultations and avoid unnecessary travel to the correctional facilities. The initiative is expected to improve accessibility and communications between counsel and their clients. access: defence is being developed and installed by the Video Remand and Bail Project [part of Justice Technology Services, Ministry of Community Safety and Security].
Where is it available?
The access: defence teleconferencing system is currently operational at nine correctional facilities including:
- Central East Correctional Centre
- Central North Correctional Centre
- Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre
- Maplehurst Correctional Complex
- Niagara Detention Centre
- Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre
- Toronto East Detention Centre
- Toronto Jail
- Toronto West Detention Centre
- Vanier Centre for Women (Milton)
Other correctional facilities being equipped with access: defence include:
- Brookside Youth Centre
How is the service delivered?
The process is straightforward: counsel contacts the service provider, Bell Conferencing Solutions to register and book teleconference appointments. Both the client, through the institution, and counsel receive a fax confirming the date and the time of the call as well as an access code. At the prescribed time, counsel phones a 1 800 number to initiate the teleconference while the access: defence phones in the facility automatically dial when the receiver is lifted. For additional security, both parties are prompted to provide an access code before starting the teleconference. Teleconferences can be booked for 15 minute or 35 minute time blocks. Please note that appointments can only be made by counsel; clients can not initiate access: defence scheduling.
What is the cost?
The charge to use access: defence is .74¢ per minute regardless of whether the correctional facility is local or long distance. If counsel fails to attend the teleconference, he/she will be charged the full amount that their client is connected. No fee is charged if counsel dials into the teleconference and the client does not.
Will Legal Aid cover the cost?
The disbursement for access: defence teleconferences with the all the participating correctional facilities are covered under a Legal Aid certificate. At present we will not be limiting the number of calls to the client or the duration of the calls. All reasonable access: defence charges will be covered subject to preparation maximums as authorized under the certificate. We will be monitoring the use and expense of the new service to determine its effectiveness as a tool to facilitate communications between inmate and lawyer.
How to register and obtain information?
For further information, to register for the service and/or to make a reservation contact Bell Conferencing Solutions at: 1-866-322-5422.
Once an appointment is scheduled, the number to dial to start the teleconference is: 1-888-791-2070
Procedural manuals for access: defence (PDF 398 KB)
Comments or concerns?
Please feel free to contact M. Loch at lochm@lao.on.ca if you have concerns or suggestions on access: defence. We are anxious to hear how this teleconferencing tool meets the needs of our service providers and their clients.
