RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RENOVATING CIRCUIT COURT FACILITIES IN THE OUACHITA COUNTY (CAMDEN), ARKANSAS COURTHOUSE CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 43778
• Author(s): L SIEGEL; H V PENNINGTON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 44 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-013-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FACILITY PROBLEMS RELATED TO ACCESS, LAYOUT, ACOUSTICS, LIGHTING, DESIGN, AND EQUIPMENT IN THE CIRCUIT COURTROOM OF THE OUACHITA COUNTY, ARK., COURTHOUSE ARE IDENTIFIED, AND A RENOVATION PROGRAM IS SUGGESTED.

Abstract

THE OUACHITA COUNTY FACILITY IS SAID TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF OLDER SMALL COURT FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE COURTROOM'S SHORTCOMINGS INCLUDE UNCOMFORTABLE SEATING, INADEQUATE ACOUSTICS AND LIGHTING, INEFFICIENT SPACE USAGE, A DREARY COLOR SCHEME, AND FAILURE TO CONVEY AN IMAGE OF DIGNITY. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO IMPROVE ITS CIRCUIT COURT FACILITY BY CREATING A RENOVATION MODEL FOR RURAL COURTROOMS IS POINTED OUT. IT IS NOTED THAT, IN ORDER TO MEET COST CONSTRAINTS, SUCH A MODEL MUST MINIMIZE CONSTRUCTION THAT IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO FUNCTIONAL AND IMAGE IMPROVEMENT AND MUST AVOID THE MOST COSTLY ELEMENTS OF RENOVATION (E.G., MOVING OR BUILDING WALLS). COST AND DESIGN DRAWBACKS OF THE 'COURTROOM-IN-THE-ROUND' CONCEPT AS A MODEL FOR RURAL COURTS ARE CITED. A 'STRETCHED CIRCLE' DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT USED IN THE RENOVATION OF THE MERCER COUNTY, KY., CIRCUIT COURTROOM IS RECOMMENDED FOR OUACHITA COUNTY. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE RENOVATION IS $41,000 TO $42,500. GUIDELINES FOR CARRYING OUT THE RENOVATION PROGRAM ARE PROVIDED, TOGETHER WITH DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED DESIGN.