Court Security Issues - Essay Example

Running Head: Court Security Issues Court Security Issues s The primary task of a court is to administer justice and resolve disputes which at times may result in aggressive behaviors from any of the party. A number of such violent events are evidenced in the history and may potentially reoccur in the future as well. Moreover, possibility of natural and accidental hazards is also unavoidable like earthquakes, floods, tornados, fire etc. Thus like every other organization courts also need to develop security plan to develop their disaster preparedness. This paper intends to analyze the security requirements of courts and endeavors to present n action plan in this context. Court Security Issues Introduction Kress (2009) defined courts as the institutions held responsible by the government to resolve legal disagreements and to manage justice and fairness. Courts administer disputes concerning persons, groups and companies, and even governments. They settle on the authorized culpability or incorruptibility of persons or entities indicted for any misdemeanors and pass judgments for culpable as well. (P. 1) Baehler and Somerlot (2005) have produced a detailed report in this context. According to them terrorism currently is assumed to be a constant threat not only for people but for organizations, institutions and for the society as a whole. Courts are no exception to plan for their security in all respects. Though, the general menaces encountered in courts are usually of interpersonal nature where individuals may attack on each other (P. 3) .Similarly, there is always a potential of natural or eventual calamities such as earthquakes, floods, torrents abrupt fire etc. Regardless the kind of occurrence, the expansion and appraisal of the security of court in terms of debacle vigilance has become essential for smooth and prompt performance of justice. There must be a feeling of "being secured' not only on the part of general public but among the court officials like judges and other workers while performing their duties. The higher officials of the courts have undoubtedly been concerned with security issues for their clients and workers; nevertheless, minimal action has been actually taken to evaluate the susceptibility of the courthouses against any potential criminal or environmental disaster. Thus, the need of developing a fully instituted security plan is more than imperative. (Wax, p. 1, 1994) The Court Security Plan This plan is primarily divided into two parts: A. General Rudiments for Security B. Functional Rudiments for security Now I proceed to discuss each of them in detail: A-General Rudiments for Security 1. Correspondence Management There must be detailed procedures for correspondence management together with arrangements of screening and x-ray for each delivered mail and the particular processes for dealing with any doubtful parcel or mail. 2. Control over Login IDs and Passwords Privacy policy must be in black and white with clear authentication of concerned officials for the access to specific records. 3. Arrangement for Parking A detailed parking plan needs to be prepared with assigned areas for higher officials and some illicit procedure of entry and exit should be in practice. 4. Interruption/ Warning Alarm A prescribed alarming system needs to be installed with clear response instructions to the staff against each of it. Test drills are essential in this regard. 5. Fire Inspections A regular practice of checking all fire control equipments like the extinguishers, pull stations etc. A staff member must be assigned this job to carry it out promptly. He must also have the contacts list for repair and maintenance. 6. Services of Private Security Companies This aspect requires extra attention. A record of background information about the guards must be there. Their weapons needs to be checked and duties clearly defined regarding patrolling, reception and screening etc. 7. Security of Supervision Office This office must have appropriately placed evacuations plans, panic alarms and must be able to describe the controlled exits and entrances at the time of an emergency. 8. Safety of Important Records There is always some storage facilities in the courts buildings for keeping important documents out of the access of anybody unauthorized and security of this site must be ensured by giving specific instructions to the support staff to be followed in emergencies. 9. Security of Digital Data In almost all big organizations records are kept in digital databases and other computerized forms. Their security requires strict privacy policy in terms of checks on login ID, passwords, and off-site storage etc. 10. Courtroom Aggression The performance of routine court activities is quite sensitive in nature as there is always a threat of any potential violence. Thus regular training is essential for the concerned staff to handle such situations. B-Functional Rudiments for security 1. Security of Staff and personnel At each court or facility the staff requirements in numbers, along with their roles and designation and accountability for: official protection entrance test and boundary security Public waiting areas Courtroom precautions Holding areas Criminal transportation. 2. Entrance test and boundary security The number of staff required at each location must be stated at each security terminal and point. Description of the methods used to test the personal and things entering the facility for example electronics such as mobiles, pagers and laptop etc. any provisions for special individuals should be described such as handicapped or babies. The screening equipment used at each screening station must be describes for instance X-ray machines and metal detectors, and policies of their use. To notify the individuals, describe the types of signatures, of the courts testing terms and restricted items. And also describe exceptions such as weapons for certain individuals and policemen. 3. Criminal Transportation In case of an escape or emergency, transfer due to medical issues or planned attempted escapes; describe the criminal transportation specifications and tragedy plans. State the protocols for prisoners, for criminals for their transportation from and to the courthouse and to the jails, along with the number of staff required for these escorting purposes. Also describe juvenile moving. 4. Holding areas State any holding areas where criminals and inmates, and also juveniles can be held and controlled by the security staff, for the ones which are waiting to be appeared in courts, or returning to their cells or while their court proceeds. State also the area's well being issues. From courtrooms to holding areas, describe the terms for the movement of criminals, emergency transport of criminals, the one's in medical supervision, segregated on administrative basis, separation of public from criminals and their contact with their relatives and witnesses and the victims etc. 5. Public Waiting Areas For the supervision of the public waiting areas and the hallways, describe the methods and procedures, segregation of witnesses, juries and public. State the reaction approaches for the issues in public areas, the ways incidents are recorded, and for which staff are accountable for managing calls to these public areas. 6. Safety measures of the Courtroom While preparing the courtroom it is essential to affirm the potential responsibilities on the part of the in charge of court security. There must be comprehensible explanation of the jobs of court security officers for preparing the court, safety moves, and duties during the court sessions. Allotment of court security staff is required to be recorded on the basis of professed hazards expected in a particular instance. Explain environment based safety measures like controls arrangements of light, ventilation, and guide maps of evacuations for staff and judges both. 7. Official Protection For the judges and their movement between courtrooms and chambers, state the parking and security arrangement. As the judges arrive and set off from work, their separation from the public to avoid bias, security of their chambers and parking lots should be described. State any special arrangements of security for the access controls for separated official entrances, and also, in sufficient details, state any approaches for the management of issues regarding the court staff and the Judicial Officers. Describe any access control for separate judicial entrances. Describe procedures for handling threats against Judicial Officers and court staff. This plan meets general security requirements of courthouses and the higher officials of the courts need to develop further security measures keeping in view the the type of their court and nature of cases administered there. Moreover, frequent terrorist events are developing constant planning the unpredictable hazards. References Baehler, A. and Somerlot, D. K. (2005). "Developing And Evaluating Courthouse Security And Disaster Preparedness: A Collaborative Process between State and Federal Courts". Project Report. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from jeritt.msu.edu/Documents/Final%20Report%20063005.doc "Court Security Plan". (2009). Supreme Court of Arkansas. Administrative Office of the Courts. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from http://courts.state.ar.us/Security/AOC%20Court%20Security%20Plan%20Outline.pdf Kress, J. M. (2009)."Court." World Book Online Reference Center. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, fromhttp://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Articleid=ar137500 Wax, J. (1994). Courtroom Violence: What Can We Do About. USA Today Magazine; May94, Vol. 122 Issue 2588, p26, 3p. Read More