For those who may not be aware of the history of confession, the private confessional booth was not introduced into church architecture until the sixteenth century in Italy, under the influence of Cardinal Charles Borromeo, and in France and most other countries European countries not until after the middle of the seventeenth century. In the middle ages, priests were seated in the front of the church and the congregation took turns to kneel in front of them to confess.
As long as the matter of the confession is kept private and the words are not overheard, there's no problem with this.
Nice historical background. I believe that in the Eastern Orthodox churches, confession has never been in confessionals. Instead, one kneels beside the priest, and he puts his stole on the penitents head - is that still so?