EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGHENEY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, BAIL AGENCY, AND THE COMMUNITY RELEASE AGENCY

• NCJ Number: 15718
• Author(s): D RYKKEN; D JOHNSTON; N JESSE
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): AG-083-71A; DS-181-71/72A
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-043-72
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn
• Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FIRST YEAR'S OPERATION OF TWO PILOT BAIL PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE COURT BAIL AGENCY PROVIDES NOMINAL BOND TO QUALIFYING DEFENDANTS. THE COMMUNITY RELEASE AGENCY PROVIDES SUPERVISION AND FOLLOW-UP OF DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON NOMINAL BAIL. THE CONCEPT OF THIS SECOND AGENCY IS THAT PEOPLE CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY CAN BETTER EVALUATE OFFENDER RELIABILITY AND MORE EFFECTIVELY ASSIST IN GETTING THEM BACK FOR TRIAL THAN CAN A MORE DISTANT BAIL AGENCY. THESE TWO AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE REGARDING THE OPERATIONS OF EACH. EVALUATION FINDINGS SUGGEST THE MERGING OF THESE TWO CONFLICTING BAIL REFORM PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE GREATER EFFICIENCY AND SERVICES.