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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Ind. Courts - Judge Penrod: "we do not have a functioning courthouse"
Andrea Howe of the Princeton Daily Clarion reports:
PRINCETON-Judge Earl Penrod left a courtroom waiting to appeal to county commissioners for more space.“It's a critical problem,” he told commissioners at the North Annex Tuesday morning.
Penrod said the Superior Court alcohol and drug deferral program is at risk of losing state certification if proper space isn't found.
“That program is our first step toward a drug court or DUI court,” he told the board.
The judge told commissioners it's the county's duty to provide space for programs, but that program has money to pay rent if necessary.
He said he's going to ask the county council to appropriate money for a salary and rent for office space somewhere on the square.
Penrod said he's managed to keep the program certified by providing state officials with copies of news stories and other documents regarding the county's ongoing discussion about solving space problems, but he can't justify a lack of action after several years.
Penrod said other court program space is also unsuitable for public use, noting one public office is on the “way station” to the third floor of the courthouse.
The iron railed steps are not ADA compliant.
“It's simply inappropriate,” he said.
The Superior Court probation office is located in the jury room, Penrod said. “She has a desk with wheels on it. When there's a jury trial, we have to move it out.”
Penrod said the courthouse also poses an “incredibly difficult security issue,” noting that prisoners sit on the front row of seats in the gallery. There is no holding area to separate them from the public.
“I'm worried about the staff and I'm worried about the public,” the judge told commissioners.
“I'm going to do what I have to do. We've made do for 20 years in space that was never designed for its current use.
“I implore you to put this on the front burner,” he told commissioners. “It is absolutely upsetting to know that the only thing that ever seems to get addressed is appearance issues.”
Penrod said he's sometimes imagined being able to use the courthouse's exterior ledges for workspace to let the public know just how cramped court quarters are.
“There are people in the public who have no idea that we do not have a functioning courthouse,” he said.
“I'm not advocating a new building. I'm just telling you the situation is inappropriate and dangerous. It's got to be addressed.”
“I agree with you 190 percent,” commissioner Don Whitehead told the judge. “It's not safe.”
Commissioner Bob Townsend asked for some ideas to solve immediate needs.
Penrod suggested using the law library room, which is seldom used by the public, for probation office space.
“The problem is very apparent, and we all know it,” acknowledged commissioner Sherrell Marginet.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 22, 2006 04:18 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts