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Safety and Security <br />the public to pass contraband or weapons to prisoners. This would be a significant improvement <br />to security in the facility. Because the design of the facility has not been undertaken, the layout <br />of the courtrooms is not known. It can be assumed that security within the courtrooms would be <br />enhanced in the new facility. <br />Compared with the existing situation, developing Alternative 1, the Riverfront site in <br />Springfield, would increase the distance between the Lane County jail and the new federal <br />courthouse. This increase in travel is not expected to increase the risks associated with <br />transporting detainees or increase the concern for public safety (Leavitt 2000 personal <br />communication). <br />Holding Facilities, Detention Facilities, and Prisoner Releases <br />The proposed courthouse facility would include additional holding cells. Juvenile detainees or <br />those requiring special handling would be held in separate cells, sight- and sound-separated from <br />the other cells. This would be a significant improvement to the security of the facility. <br />As with the existing facility, the proposed courthouse would not include detention facilities; <br />detainees would be removed from the courthouse every evening. Prisoners released from <br />custody would be released only during normal working hours; there would be no evening, late <br />night, early morning, or weekend releases of detainees from the facility. Because detainees are <br />not held overnight, there is no threat of escape from the facility during non-working hours. <br />Court Security <br />The proposed facility would include separate circulation systems for prisoners, court staff, and <br />the public. This measure would remove the opportunity for inmates to assault or harass court <br />staff or obtain weapons or contraband from members of the public, and would improve the <br />security of the facility. <br />The proposed facility would also provide secure parking, thereby improving security for the <br />judges and others who work at the courthouse. <br />Public Perception Regarding Safety <br />The design of the new courthouse would reflect the solemn nature of the business conducted in <br />~~ the building and convey a sense of safety to the public. As mentioned above, security must be <br />balanced with public accessibility. Increasing the building setbacks to meet current standards <br />would likely prove to be a major improvement in security compared to the existing condition. <br />A new facility would provide secure entrances to the courthouse and would provide space for <br />related functions in a secure building. This too would improve public safety and the public <br />perception of safety. <br />New Federal Courthouse 155 Final EIS <br />