Court Security: A Guide for Post 9-11 Environments. By Tony L. Jones; published by Charles C. Thomas, 800/258-8980 (phone),www.ccthomas.com (Web); 302 pages; $44.95.  It is apparent that author Tony L. Jones--whose bio is nowhere to be found in the book, but who a Web search indicates is an Ohio police officer--has spent many hours researching the specialized field of courthouse security. The resulting work is a comprehensive manual of information culled from many U.S. sources. Information presented comes from a range of respected and noted court security advisors.

The book is designed as a manual for novices in the court setting. The book's four broad sections cover perpetrators, integrated security systems, response, and tactical considerations. Each topic is clearly and thoroughly described and detailed.

Jones recognizes that a variety of courthouses exist in the United States, from quaint wood-framed structures to marble behemoths. His discussion of security equipment encompasses these various types of facilities, although some of the solutions may be beyond the budget of a typical courthouse.

While the text is solid, many of the book's photos are blurred and contain flash spots. For example, a picture of plastic tamper-indicating devices is so blurry that the reader learns not much more than that the devices are long and thin.

Though the photo is not sharp, Jones's discussion is. Court administrators, judges, law enforcement, and others associated with courthouse security and related duties would benefit from this book as part of the continuing education needed in the post 9-11 environment.

​Reviewer: Brent J. Lawrence, CPP, owns Defense Training Academy Inc. in Lima, Ohio. A sheriff for 21 years, he has worked in the felony court setting for 12 years, tasked with protecting sequestered juries and securing death-penalty and other high-profile cases. He also served on the Ohio Court Security Project and the Supreme Court Security Committee. He is a member of ASIS International.