NCJ Number
38216
Date Published
1976
Length
300 pages
Annotation
PROJECT NARRATIVES FROM THE PHASE ONE EVALUATIONS OF THE PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS IN TEN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
Abstract
COMPREHENSIVE, STRUCTURED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH THE DIRECTORS OF 109 PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR SELECTING TEN PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS FOR SITE VISITS. THE PROGRAMS SELECTED FOR SITE VISITS WERE CONSIDERED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MAJOR, ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS HAVE TAKEN TO THE PRETRIAL DETENTION PROBLEM. AN EFFORT WAS ALSO MADE TO SELECT PROGRAMS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY. THE SITES SELECTED INCLUDE DENVER, SAN FRANCISCO, SANTA CLARA COUNTY, SAN DIEGO, POLK COUNTY (IA), HENNEPIN COUNTY (MN), COOK CUNTY (IL), CUMBERLAND COUNTY (NC), NEW ORLEANS, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE PURPOSE OF MAKING SITE VISITS WAS TO OBSERVE ACTUAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES IN PROGRESS AND TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPACT OF EACH PROGRAM ON THE PRETRIAL RELEASE OF DEFENDANTS IN ITS JURISDICTION. IN EACH REPORT, PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAMS WITH ACCOMPANYING NARRATIVE DESCRIBE PROJECT OPERATIONS AND INTERVENTION INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. FOR EACH JURISDICTION VISITED, PHASE I STAFF COMPILED RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH THE PROGRAM OPERATES INCLUDING THE LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE NATURE OF THE DEFENDANT POPULATION AND ANY OTHER INTERVENING VARIABLES WHICH MIGHT AFFECT PROGRAM OUTCOMES. DURING EACH SITE VISIT A REVIEW OF THE AVAILABLE DATA WAS MADE TO ASCERTAIN THE POTENTIAL FOR MEASURING PROJECT OUTCOMES AND OVERALL IMPACT ON THE PRETRIAL DETENTION SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)