NCJ Number
53748
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE (ROR) PROGRAM IN NEW ORLEANS IS DESCRIBED AND ITS IMPACT ON BOTH DEFENDANTS AND JAIL FACILITIES IS EVALUATED. THE FIGURES COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH THOSE FROM OTHER ROR PROGRAMS NATIONALLY.
Abstract
THE NEW ORLEANS, LA., PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1968 AS A VOLUNTEER EFFORT BY LOCAL ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS. IT OPERATED WITH BLOC GRANT FUNDING UNTIL 1974, THEN WENT THROUGH A PERIOD OF TURMOIL UNTIL THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS FINALLY TOOK OVER THE PROGRAM IN 1976. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO REDUCE THE PRETRIAL DETENTION POPULATION OF ORLEANS PARISH PRISON BY ABOUT 100 INDIVIDUALS PER MONTH BY OFFERING PRETRIAL RELEASE TO CERTAIN OFFENDERS WHO QUALIFY UNDER CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE JUDGES. THE EVALUATION COVERS THE PERIOD APRIL 1974 THROUGH JULY 1975, THE HEIGHT OF THE FUNDING CRISIS. DURING THAT TIME 13,700 PERSONS WERE ARRESTED AND DETAINED; 1,645 WERE RECOMMENDED FOR ROR BOND; THE JUDGE REJECTED 61, OR 3 PERCENT; AND AN ADDITIONAL 86, OR 5 PERCENT, MADE OTHER BONDING ARRANGEMENTS. TOTAL NUMBER ACTUALLY RELEASED ON ROR WAS 1,498, WHICH IS 11 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OR AN AVERAGE OF 93.6 PERSONS PER MONTH. ONLY 35 OF THE TOTAL MISSED THEIR COURT APPEARANCES. THESE FIGURES ARE FURTHER ANALYZED BY CASE OUTCOME. ROR BOND FORFEITURES TOTALED 31. OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS RELEASED, 45 WERE REARRESTED PRIOR TO THEIR COURT DATE. FACTORS WHICH AFFECT SUCCESS OF ROR CLIENTS ARE EXAMINED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE NEW ORLEANS STATISTICS COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH THOSE FROM OTHER ROR PROGRAMS, AND THAT WITHOUT IT, THE JAIL WOULD HAVE BEEN HOPELESSLY OVERCROWDED. APPENDIXES GIVE CHARTS, GRAPHS, PROJECT DATA, SAMPLE EVALUATION SHEETS FOR ROR CANDIDATES, AND THE ROR GUIDELINES. (GLR)