NCJ Number
2276
Date Published
1972
Length
29 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE AND SPACE MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVING COURTHOUSE SECURITY
Abstract
THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR CONFRONTED BY SECURITY PROBLEMS MAY SEEK SOLUTIONS THROUGH MINOR CHANGES IN OPERATIONS OR MAJOR CHANGES IN ALL ASPECTS OF SECURITY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING ALTERATION TO FACILITY ARCHITECTURE. IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS MONOGRAPH TO EXAMINE THE RELATIVE VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE AND SPACE MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVING COURTHOUSE SECURITY AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH OVER THE OPERATIONAL APPROACH WHERE RENOVATION OR NEW CONSTRUCTION IS PLANNED. A MATRIX IS DEVELOPED WHICH ANALYZES COURTHOUSE SECURITY IN TERMS OF THE RELATIVE RISKS OF DANGEROUS ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN PERSONS USING THE COURT FACILITIES. THE ANALYSIS INCLUDES A DISCUSSION OF PERSONNEL MOVEMENT WITHIN THE BUILDING. MODEL SECURITY SYSTEMS ARE OUTLINED AND COSTS ESTIMATED. THROUGHOUT THE DISCUSSION THE SOLVING OF VARIOUS SECURITY PROBLEMS IS EXAMINED FROM BOTH AN ARCHITECTURAL AND OPERATIONAL VIEWPOINT. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT THE ARCHITECTURAL METHOD RESULTS IN MORE CONSTANT EFFECTIVENESS BECAUSE OF COST ADVANTAGES, PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS, A MORE EFFICIENT USE OF OVERALL SPACE, AND A MINIMUM QUALITATIVE PENALTY. HOWEVER IN SITUATIONS WHERE IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO MODIFY OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, THE ANALYTIC PROCEDURES PRESENTED IN THIS MONOGRAPH ARE USEFUL IN ARRIVING AT A COST AND EFFECTIVENESS COMPARISON OF THE ALTERNATE METHODS. (SNI ABSTRACT)