In the current climate of increasing threats to judicial officers and acts of courthouse violence being committed across the nation, many state and local courts are focusing more attention and resources on court and judicial security. SJI has long recognized the need to assist state and local courts in improving the personal safety of judges, court personnel, and the public.
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.