Why is it important to keep prisoners out of public areas?
Keeping prisoners out of public places is vital due to various reasons. It is crucial to avert any unnecessary interactions between convicts and other people. In most cases, the prison ought not to interact with witnesses as they are likely to tamper with testimonies by issuing threats through manipulation or coaxing, influencing the case’s outcome. Regardless of the witness being summoned by the convict’s lawyer, the testimony should be preserved and free from the respondent’s contribution. Whereas lawyers are given the privilege of freely conversing with the respondents, it should not be in public spaces as divulging discrete information is likely to tamper with the case’s testimony. Convicts should be segregated to prevent any acquisition of contrabands. Drugs are considered a significant concern in most prisons as they pose security risks such as attacks by individuals who may need them.
Moreover, mobile handsets may be passed to a criminal and later smuggled into prison precincts. Preventing accessibility is vital to deter any form of communication that may involve escape plans, disrupting jail operations, or intimidating witnesses. In most cases, violence is considered a risk in courtrooms as victims’ family members or the victims may wish to get revenge, and criminals may opt to escape in violent scenarios.
How might the bailiff help to minimize a breach of security within the courthouse?
Bailiffs should always be on guard and providing full attention during courthouse sessions. Despite being assigned roles with the courtroom during trials, they might as well be allocated duties outside the court precincts to offer overall grounds security. At entry points, bailiffs ought to be vigilant to prevent individuals seeking to smuggle contrabands in courtrooms and pass them on to convicts or use them on unwary victims. Bailiffs might be allocated duties of operating various divisions to prevent any cases of intrusion or terrorism. They may as well be assigned the cybersecurity section and be requested to be on the lookout for criminals stealing individual’s data at a computer terminal. A bailiff is often regarded as the first and last line of defense against assaults within the courtroom. They may be required to apprehend and detain individuals that may be deemed to be violent and dangerous.
In most cases, the bailiffs are equipped and possess the peace officer authority of apprehension. Moreover, they usually need reduced fatal options along with firearms, amongst other restrictions. Bailiffs may need any form of backup and, therefore, may require communication gadgets, for instance, walkie-talkies, to facilitate effective communication. Extra vigilance means that they are in a position of averting any form of violence and apprehend individuals if violence ensues.
Why should a courthouse be designed with prisoner transportation to and from court in mind?
As part of the facility’s architectural design, prisoner transportation to & from the court is equally vital. Accessing the back door is not considered a viable choice as security risks are likely to cause mayhem while granting the prisoner an escape avenue. Remoted controlled hallways, alarmed gates, enormous fences, and electric wires may be needed in most cases (Mulcahy, 2016). Not only could co-conspirators spring prisoners, but they may also likewise initiate violence, smuggle contrabands, and disturbance at prisoner transport centers if they are not correctly designed. A prisoner is considered to always be at risk during transportation to the courthouse and must be closely guarded. By failing to offer full attention during the movement, the prisoner is accorded an advantage that he or she may not be guaranteed when motionless and enhanced when numerous convicts are on the bus. Distraction may occur, giving the convict a chance to escape or be armed.
In most cases, convicts fake illness to be transported to other areas for treatment, providing the opportunity of assessing the protocols to facilitate an escape. During instances of escape, guards are likely to be attacked, resulting in extreme violence. It is therefore essential to design the transport frameworks and effectively using them to prevent any possible occurrences.
What is egress and ingress? Why should these be factored in when designing a courthouse?
According to Cooper (2017), egress is considered the right and capability of exiting the confines of the court. In contrast, ingress is viewed as the right and capability of accessing the court precincts. Both terms vary but share similar conceptions based on court security as they relate to the restraint and authorization of accessibility to other areas and therefore should be factored within the courtroom model. These features of designing a law court are vital to enhancing the prosecuting attorney, security, petitioner, respondents, witnesses, and public safety. When effectively collaborating, security agencies guarantee the security of every participant.
By restraining the ingress of the general public towards areas designated for convicts and denying the convicts egress to the external sites is crucial. It is vital to have courtroom design outlines that offer separate access points and apt separation of individuals taking part in the trial. Integrating technology averts any complications as staff members are capable of monitoring the regions for any concerns that may arise along with any cases of unauthorized accessibility. Incorporating technology automates the exit or entry to the courthouse and therefore easing access. Lastly, the location of the furniture along with the design is also used to enhance safety and comfort.
References
Cooper, C. S. (2017). The evolving concept of “court security”. Justice System Journal, 28(1), 40-45.
Mulcahy, L. (2016). Architects of justice: The politics of courtroom design. Social & Legal
Studies, 16(3), 383-403.
