ProGov21 Policy Library

This report compares, critiques, and provides an overview of pretrial practices across the United States. In particular, it discusses how 89 counties differ (or relate) in using citation releases, bond schedules, pretrial assessment tools, and more. It also outlines shared concerns...

This document is a statement from the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) updating their stance on the use of Pretrial Risk Assessment Tools (RAIs). PJI opposes the use of pretrial RAIs when making detention decisions and determining restrictions placed on a person's pretrial liberty...

The limited use of electronic monitoring (EM) in Pima County, Arizona, is a result of state legislation restricting its application to nonviolent misdemeanor sentences, excluding pretrial cases. Expanding EM to pretrial use could significantly reduce jail populations and address racial...

This report outlines 10 key questions that justice system stakeholders can ask themselves when working to improve pretrial practices in their local jurisdictions. These questions cover topics such as the purpose of pretrial release; redefinement of arrestable offenses; alternatives...

This document outlines the Pretrial Justice Institute's (PJI) rationale for prioritizing racial equity transformation in the criminal justice system. It begins by discussing PJI's journey to advancing racial equity from 2015 to 2019. It then explains why PJI's mission is focused on...

Electronic monitoring in the criminal legal system is increasingly criticized for being invasive, punitive, and disproportionately harmful to marginalized communities. It restricts movement, undermines privacy, burdens families, and perpetuates racial and class-based inequities while...

The increasing reliance on pretrial electronic monitoring (EM) in Los Angeles County raises concerns about racial disparities, infringement on personal freedoms, and the lack of proven benefits. Black and Latinx individuals are disproportionately subjected to EM, with restrictive...

Pretrial risk assessment instruments (RAIs) are tools intended to estimate two key outcomes for those who are released pending trial: the likelihood that someone will fail to appear for court, and the likelihood that someone will be arrested for a new crime before the disposition...