NCJ Number
157046
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Bail support packages are considered.
Abstract
This paper considers the role of bail support within the pretrial process by discussing the need for effective assessment guidance for practitioners. Preliminary results of a survey conducted by the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) indicate that policy and practice appear to have evolved from the daily interventions of court-based staff, many of whom have had to operate without mechanisms for targeting defendants or guidance notes on the process for making a bail support assessment. For bail support services systems to operate effectively, consistent approaches are needed. Differences both within and between social services departments and probation services indicate a gap between the provision of bail information and a decision that bail support is necessary. Five guidelines for developing assessment guidance are described briefly. A unified approach for juveniles and adults is encouraged. A checklist is provided to support an assessment for bail support at a first appearance.