In addition to the publicized opening of the Criminal Justice Center in 1995, the FJD continues to pursue the efficient allocation of space and to improve the work environments of employees.

CP Court Reporting Services Reporting Services employees, including 101 Reporters, administrative staff and the Copy Center, are looking forward to their June move from 1321 Arch to the second floor of the Land Title Building at Broad and Chestnut Streets. The Land Title Building is a beautiful old building with large windows, an atrium, and distinctive lighting. Renovations will maintain the character of the building while also providing a professional office space with systems furniture, a computer room, technology such as the new Min-U- Script program, and additional storage space. The Office of Budget & Fiscal was relocated to Rooms 395 and 391 City Hall in May 1997. The space, formerly occupied by Civil Motions, was renovated by Building and Facilities to suit the operations of the new occupant. Budget & Fiscal is the financial hub of the FJD and is responsible for: budgeting; grant management; disbursement and recording of payroll; Court appointed counsel fee payments; and processing of financial documents in the area of Writ Servers, mandamus payments, and grant contracts and procurements. Data Processing moved from One East Penn Square to the space formerly occupied by the Court's Mental Health Clinic in Room 781 City Hall. In addition to renovations, new ergonomic furniture was purchased for the new location. Programmer Manager Mike Kilgallon in new DP work Station. (photo by Don Varley Jr.) Data Processing, which also maintains computer rooms in 131 City Hall and B-6 CJC, provides centralized computer services for criminal, civil, jury, adult probation, orphans, and juvenile criminal divisions of the First Judicial District. The services include mainframe computer operation; preparation and distribution of computer generated reports, letters, and special mailer type forms; mainframe software development; and telecommunications for connectivity to City computing centers and the personal computer to mainframe gateway. Human Resources moved to Room 668 City Hall in January. The space, formerly occupied by the Clerk of Quarter Sessions, has benefitted from professional design and quality workmanship by Building and Facilities. Finishing touches are being made to a testing/computer training room in the suite which should permit the resumption of "Windows" training in April. A training room is also being created in Rm. 380 City Hall (formerly Civil Listings). The Family Court Building at 1801 Vine Street underwent major renovations in the early 1990's when seven new courtrooms and two large waiting areas were constructed on the first floor to house all juvenile courts. Administrative offices were renovated and new judicial offices were built on the third floor, providing on-site chambers for all Juvenile Court judges. Current plans include: air conditioning and electrical systems upgrades; cellroom improvements; restroom renovations; landscaping improvemnts; and first floor renovations of the reception area and the four courtrooms and waiting rooms which were not part of the earlier renovations. The lobby ceiling will also be refurbished and metal detectors will be upgraded. Domestic Relations' Bureau of Accounts which provides financial services to the Child Support Enforcement Program, moved from the first floor of 34 South Eleventh Street to the fourth floor of 46 South Eleventh Street on April 1. The new location will provide an efficient workstation office environment for the timely processing of support payments (see "DR Support Collections..."). For customer convenience, all client contact and on-site payments will continue at 34 South Eleventh Street.

Facilities Have Standards, Too The CJC Facility Standards Committee was formed in December 1995 to serve as a "watchdog" in ensuring that the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) is provided with quality custodial services and that public and private areas maintain a professional and attractive appearance. The Committee is chaired by Judge Myrna P. Field, whose steadfastness has enabled the Committee to proceed with its mission. Committee members include: Judge Gary Glazer, Judge Jane Cutler Greenspan, and Judge Flora Barth Wolf; Leonard Armstrong, Kathleen O'Donnell, David Preski, Cathy Rauscher, and Lisa Schellinger from the Court of Common Pleas; Rita Crumlish of Municipal Court; Diane Bucher from the Clerk's Office; Captain Brian Craig of the Police Department; and Jewell Williams of the Sheriff's Office. Since its inception, the Facility Standards Committee has been addressing various issues with the City's Department of Public Property and their contracted facility maintenance firm. The recurrent issues are: indoor air quality; vandalism of bathrooms and public touch-screen monitors; cleaning of offices and courtrooms; carpeting and painting; maintenance of courtroom benches and doors; smoking in the hallways and bathrooms; building climate and temperature, and the elevators. Once an issue has been identified, the Committee does its best to present the issue and find solutions that can be effected within the restraints of the CJC's building design and the City's maintenance budget. The Committee wants everyone who works in the CJC to know that they are concerned about everyone's health and safety as well as the appearance and functionality of the building. If you have an issue about the CJC's care and maintenance, please contact a committee member by telephone or e-mail. The FJD continues to pursue improved space for Adult Probation and Pretrial Services. While the client population, space needs, and location and security requirements limit the number of potential new sites, over 10 buildings were inspected in the last year and were rejected for reasons such as lack of proximity to the CJC, inadequate space, fire traps, etc. Renovations of existing space will be evaluated on a continuing basis in terms of the likely success of an alternative building for Pretrial and Adult Probation.