EVALUATION OF THE DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, BAIL AGENCY - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 26162
• Author(s): A HELLMAN; J GAYTON; R DAVIS
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 56 pages
• Grant Number(s): SE-398-73A
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Governor's Justice Cmssn; Pennsylvania Prison Soc
• Corporate Author: Bucks Cty Dept of Corrections
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE DELAWARE COUNTY (PA) BAIL PROGRAM IS A 10 PERCENT CASH BAIL BOND PROGRAM WITH THE AMOUNT OF BAIL BEING SET AS A RESULT OF A POINT SYSTEM ADMINISTERED IN AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN DEFENDANTS AND BAIL PROGRAM OFFICIALS.

Abstract

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS WHO, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY PROGRAM STAFF, SECURE THEIR RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE, OR ON A 10 PERCENT CASH BAIL AT ARRAINGMENT. THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND THE POINT RATING SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED. THE EVALUATION RELIES AND PRESENTS THE FOLLOWING DATA FOR EVERY TENTH DEFENDANT DURING THE EVALUATION PERIOD: COMPLETE DEMOGRAPHIC DATA; THE NUMBER OF POINTS ACTUALLY OBTAINED IN THE INTERVIEW (WHEN RECORDED BY THE PROGRAM); INFORMATION REGARDING RESIDENCE, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, FAMILY CONTACTS, PRIOR RECORD, AND CHARGE; PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS AND BAIL SET; AND TYPE OF PRE-TRIAL RELEASE. COURT RECORDS WERE ALSO EXAMINED. THE PROGRAM WAS FOUND TO BE RUNNING EFFICIENTLY WITH THE MAJOR PROBLEM BEING THE WASTED TIME OF THE INTERVIEWERS WHILE WAITING FOR DEFENDANTS.