NCJ Number
64973
Date Published
1972
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF AND EVALUATION RESULTS FOR A PRETRIAL RELEASE SUPERVISION PROGRAM IN DES MOINES, IOWA, ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE DES MOINES PROGRAM OFFERS QUALIFIED PERSONS IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTO THE COMMUNITY, SOMETIMES UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION, SO THAT THE UNNECESSARY HARDSHIPS OF DEFENDANTS ULTIMATELY FOUND NOT GUILTY IS ENDED AND THOSE FOUND GUILTY ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO SHOW THEY CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY IN THE COMMUNITY. THE IDEA FOR THE PROGRAM BEGAN WITH A GROUP OF DES MOINES RESIDENTS CONCERNED THAT BAIL DISCRIMINATES AGAINST POOR DEFENDANTS WHILE SHOWING LITTLE DISCRIMINATION IN THE TYPE OF OFFENDER RELEASED. THE GROUP FORMED AN AD HOC COMMITTEE WHICH DESIGNED A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROJECT INTENDED TO PROVIDE SAFE PRETRIAL RELEASE OF HIGH-RISK DEFENDANTS. THE PROJECT BEGAN IN 1970, SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING JAILED DEFENDANTS ARE INTERVIEWED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR RELEASE. THE CHIEF INTERVIEWER IS AN EX-OFFENDER AND HAS PROVED TO BE A RELIABLE PREDICTOR OF RELEASE SUCCESS. INTERVIEWS FOCUS ON THE DEFENDANT'S SOCIAL, CRIMINAL, AND EMPLOYMENT HISTORIES, ALONG WITH CURRENT FRIENDS, RESIDENCE, AND EMPLOYMENT. FINAL AUTHORITY FOR RELEASE RESTS WITH THE COURT. OVERALL, THE PROJECT AIMS TO ASSIST THOSE ULTIMATELY CONVICTED TO QUALIFY FOR PROBATION. CLIENTS TYPICALLY REPORT DAILY TO THEIR COUNSELOR, WHO TAILORS A PROGRAM TO THE NEEDS OF EACH CLIENT. DEFENDANTS MAY RECEIVE PERSONAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP COUNSELING AND SPEND SOME EVENINGS AT THE PROJECT OFFICE FOR CLASSES OR FILMS ON SUCH TOPICS AS ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE, AND EMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES BEARING UPON NORMATIVE ADJUSTMENT TO SOCIETY. ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF ALL APPREHENDED OFFENDERS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION ARE CURRENTLY BEING RELEASED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. EVALUATION REVEALS THE PROJECT TO BE COST EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE MONEY SAVED BY KEEPING DEFENDANTS OUT OF PRISON AND THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH-RISK CLIENTS APPEARING FOR TRIAL (98 PERCENT). NO REFERENCES ARE CITED.