The men and women of the Sheriff's Office Of the City and County of Philadelphia are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility--delivering suspected and convicted criminals to the "halls of justice" while ensuring public safety.

Sheriff's Deputies escort men and women charged with criminal activity through public corridors for courtroom hearings and trials. Due to the highly professional manner in which Sheriff's Deputies perform their duties, prisoner escorts through public corridors are virtually undetected by most citizens. 

Once prisoners are delivered to court, Sheriff's Deputies continue to provide security for all courtroom proceedings. From city and county prisons to holding cells and courtrooms located at City Hall, 34 S. 11th Street (Domestic Relations) and 1801 Vine Street (Family Court), Sheriff's Deputies alone provide Security and maintain controlled environments where prisoners interact with the public. 

After delivering prisoners to their respective courtrooms Sheriff's Deputies continue to provide security throughout courtroom proceedings.  Sheriff's Deputies use metal detectors to screen every courtroom participant and spectator to ensure everyone's safety. 

Philadelphia has more than 55 courtrooms which hold proceedings almost daily.  Courtrooms are staffed by a minimum of two deputies.  However, due to the volatile nature of some crimes and cases the Sheriff will authorize a change in courtroom security.  Highly publicized cases, or cases with multiple defendants, will be reviewed by the Sheriff and often assigned additional deputies and heightened security.  

Communications have been enhanced to give sheriff deputies greater security and protection.  Sheriff deputies are equipped with radio handsets.  These handsets make it possible for the deputies to radio distress calls immediately and to inform their colleagues of their immediate whereabouts.  In fact, the radio system used is the most technically advanced system available.

PRISONER TRANSPORTATION
No longer do sheriff deputies unload and transport prisoners in public view at the Southwest corner of City Hall and no longer are deputies exposed to outdoor situations that have the potential of escalating into crises. Prisoners are now driven directly into the Criminal Justice Center, effectively reducing the risks of escape attempts and public diversions.

A once-familiar sight at City Hall was to see prisoners, escorted by Sheriff deputies, walking through public corridors to courtrooms.  Now, at the Criminal Justice Center, sheriff deputies escort prisoners through concealed walkways that are inaccessible to the public, that lead from prisoner holding cells directly to Courtrooms. This security feature functions to contain interactions solely between the Sheriff deputies and prisoners, enhancing the safety of the public.  Except for courtroom appearances, public contact with prisoners has been effectively eliminated.