NCJ Number
49692
Date Published
1977
Length
46 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING COURTROOM SECURITY IN MARYLAND DISTRICT COURTS WAS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY DISTRICT COURT JUDGES AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF SECURITY PRACTICES.
Abstract
THE MAJOR PURPOSES OF THIS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORT WERE TO EXAMINE THE METHODS USED TO ENSURE SECURITY IN A SAMPLE OF DISTRICT COURT FACILITIES IN LIGHT OF REAL AND POTENTIAL THREATS TO THEIR SECURITY, TO ASSESS THE COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMWIDE SECURITY POLICY OF THE COURT AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS, AND TO EVALUATE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IN THE SAMPLE OF DISTRICT COURTS AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHICH COULD BE ADAPTED TO OTHER EXISTING AND FUTURE FACILITIES. AN OVERVIEW OF DISTRICT COURT OPERATIONS IS PROVIDED AND SECURITY CONCERNS ARE HIGHLIGHTED, WITH ATTENTION TO THE IMPACT OF COURT OPERATIONS ON SECURITY ISSUES AND POTENTIAL COURT SECURITY PROBLEMS, INCLUDING TENSION AMONG COURT PARTICIPANTS, CROWDS, CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS, CRIMINAL ACTS, BOMB THREATS, ACCESSIBILITY, AND SAFETY. REGARDING THE ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SITUATION IN THE MARYLAND COURTS, THE FOCUS OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORT IS DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH FACTORS INVOLVED IN ASSESSING COURT SECURITY. THE SPECIFIC FINDINGS OF THE SECURITY ASSESSMENT ARE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS: (1) THE EXISTING SECURITY PERSONNEL, THEIR BACKGROUND, AN ANALYSIS OF PERSONNEL PRACTICES, AND SECURITY OFFICER DUTIES AND STAFFING PATTERNS; (2) EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS ALARMS, EMERGENCY LIGHTS, WEAPONS DETECTORS, AND NONLETHAL WEAPONS; (3) THE LAYOUT, FEATURES, AND ADEQUACY OF EXISTING COURT FACILITIES; AND (4) ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES TO ELIMINATE OVERCROWDING, PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING BOMB THREATS, SAFETY POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES FOR INCREASED SECURITY AT BOND HEARINGS. RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO UNIFORM SECURITY POLICY, PROVISION OF SECURITY PERSONNEL, THE FOCUS ON SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE ADEQUACY OF COURT FACILITIES ARE INCLUDED. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)