Senators have passed a bill allowing courts discretion to hold minor hearings via camera rather than bringing in prisoners and having to launch a massive security operation.

Previously prosecutors and prisoners had to be in agreement to use cameras for mention hearings in Magistrates' Court.

However the Indictable Offences Amendment Act 2005 removes that requirement.

During Monday's Senate session, Attorney General Larry Mussenden said the video equipment would be spread to the Supreme Court and the Family Court to end the need for prisoners to come all the way from Westgate.

He said there was no justification for the high amount of security involving armed police and extra prison officers just for a minor hearing such as the monthly arraignment session, which often the defendant's lawyer never bothered attending.

The technology is already on order explained Sen. Mussenden.

He said lawyers could take instructions from clients by going to Westgate but he revealed that a secure video link in Hamilton might be set up for lawyers to use.

And he said the use of cameras could be extended further in the next session for overseas witnesses, vulnerable witnesses and other cases where there was a security concern.

The bill was welcomed by Senators.

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes said the amendment was predictable in that prisoners were always likely to opt to have an outing to town.

"It doesn't give the right impression of prison," said Sen. Hughes.

Opposition Senator Bob Richards also supported the legislation and hoped that it would end the disturbing spectacle of armed Police regularly patrolling the streets.

"It is most un-Bermudian, I find it offensive," he said.