NCJ Number
110431
Date Published
1987
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report describes the 611 inmates released by the New York City Department of Corrections under a 1983 court order to relieve overcrowding, describing their characteristics at the time of discharge and consequences of the inmate discharge in terms of failure to appear (FTA) for hearings and recidivism.
Abstract
Under Judge Lasker's order, defendants who were held on bail of $1,500 or less and had no holds or warrants were eligible for release on 10 percent bail. Release on recognizance (ROR) was granted primarily to defendants with misdemeanor or lesser charges. Over three-quarters of the 611 inmates were released on 10 percent bail, and the remaining proportion were ROR. More than half the released defendants were charged with felonies, and 8 of every 10 had at least 1 prior conviction. Of the released defendants, 40 percent failed to appear for at least one pretrial hearing. Only 9 percent missed the first post-release appearance. Higher FTA rates were found among defendants charged with misdemeanors rather than felonies, those held on lesser bail amounts, and individuals with a history of prior warrants. One-third of the court-ordered releases were rearrested pretrial. Higher rearrest rates were found among defendants with misdemeanor rather than felony charges, those with more extensive criminal histories, and those with prior warrants. The survey includes comparisons among boroughs and with other groups of defendants. Factors are identified that might be used as screening criteria in future court-ordered release efforts. Tables.