News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cumberland County Justice Center providing a new space for children involved in court business to feel more comfortable.
Cumberland Sheriff’s Office PIO Gary Howard said the Comfort Corner is a kid-friendly room filled with toys, books, and games. He said they wanted to do what they can to make kids comfortable during a court visit.
“We’re seeing more and more children that are abused, neglected, or are witnesses to other crimes,” Howard said. “And one of the things that’s important, is that it becomes extremely traumatic for these children as they’re trying to deal with the criminal justice system.”
Howard said until now, the only place for children to wait to be called into court was a wooden bench in the hallway outside the courtrooms. He said the space was among the first ideas identified by the Cumberland County Trauma Informed Community Alliance when it formed in April 2021. It was recommended by Judge Amanda Worley and Judge Caroline Knight
Howard said the Alliance partnered with the Rotary Club to seek out grants to make this possible. He said the Comfort Corner has already seen success thus far.
“A lot of these children are coming from backgrounds where there’s already been more trauma and the last thing that we want to do is cause more trauma in that child’s life,” Howard said. “so hopefully this can minimize that trauma and make these circumstances a little more livable for them.”
