NCJ Number
230755
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 72 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 104-107
Date Published
April 2010
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the role of pretrial services agencies as "first responders" and their effectiveness in assisting with the reintegration of offenders transitioning from the Nation's jails.
Abstract
A pretrial agency, whose primary purpose is to assist the courts with release decisions and to supervise defendants who are awaiting trial within the community, can participate in the role of "first responder" and take the first steps in offender transformation and rehabilitation. Reaching out to, focusing, referring, assisting or diverting this group of offenders can significantly impact public safety and public civility. Focusing on reentry services immediately after arrest allows a pretrial service agency to become an important component in the reentry continuum. This article discusses how these pretrial agencies conduct risk assessments of new arrestees, make supervision recommendations to the courts, determine eligibility for diversion, and supervise and monitor offender compliance within the community. Pretrial services agencies as first responders in the reentry process forces offenders to immediately examine the behaviors that resulted in their arrest. 12 notes