In the current climate of increasing threats and acts of courthouse violence being committed across the nation, state and local courts are seeking new and innovative ways to enhance the safety of courthouses. SJI has long recognized the need to assist state and local courts in improving the safety of the public, court staff, and judges in court facilities.
Wyoming Judicial Branch Security Assessments
The Wyoming Judicial Branch is improving court security by providing for security assessments in eleven courthouses in northern Wyoming.
Domestic Violence AWARE Project: Helping Courts Implement Protocols for DV Analysis, Warnings, Action, Recovery, and Engagement and Building the Training Capacity of States while Meeting the Security Needs of Courts and Families
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) is engaging with additional court and court security experts to develop the Domestic Violence Analysis, Warnings, Action, Recovery, and Engagement (AWARE) Project. Analysis and Warning will focus on security and domestic violence education; courthouse design analysis from a safety perspective; and communication strategies regarding high-risk litigants; Action will focus on preparation for active emergencies; Recovery and Engagement will focus on protocols and agreements to address post-incident the needs of the facility, personnel, staff, and impacted community members.
During Phase 2 of the project, DV AWARE project partners will pilot and refine the curriculum and other tools developed through the Domestic Violence AWARE Project to prepare a Train the Trainer curriculum.
Comprehensive Security Assessment
The Idaho 4th Judicial District Court partnered with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to provide an independent analysis to assess security at two court facilities in Boise, Idaho, including the Ada County Courthouse and the Ada County Juvenile Court Services building. The analysis provided the court with an objective assessment of all security needs, including security governance, policies and procedures, personnel, infrastructure, and technology. The NCSC project team provided a final report with recommendations for improving court security based on Steps to Best Practices for Court Building Security.
Security Assessments in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System engaged the National Center for State Courts to assist in improving security in two designated court facilities in Sioux Falls, South Dakota: 1) the Minnehaha County Courthouse; and the Juvenile Court-occupied space in the Minnehaha County Regional Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).
Courthouse Security Assessments in New Mexico
The New Mexico Supreme Court partnered with the National Center for State Courts to assist in strengthening court security by providing courthouse security assessments for 9 courthouses located in 6 municipalities across the state.