NCJ Number
122878
Date Published
1988
Length
38 pages
Annotation
The temporary bail action project was designed to collect information relevant to the bail/remand decision.
Abstract
During the 1980s in England, there was a continuing rise in the average population of remand prisoners from 5,800 in 1980 to 9,950 in 1986. This increase was due to the rise of the number of untried prisoners that has more than doubled in the same period from 3,900 to 8,550. The temporary bail action project consisted of two teams of workers who interviewed new remands and interceded by arranging bail packages, for example, finding accommodation and arranging reporting conditions. Practical difficulties experienced by the teams were lack of key information about the bail/remand decision which was available, lack of able staff, and delays in organizing bail applications. Results indicate that a number of remanded prisoners were granted bail who would have remained in custody without the intervention of the project. In addition, the project seemed to have been a success in financial terms, and there appears to be a scope for more efficient methods of carrying out such a task. Appendix, 8 references.