This manual aims to complement the training of pretrial services agency staff by providing a resource on the history of bail reform; an overview of pretrial services agencies; and discussions on interviewing and verification, risk assessment, pretrial supervision, and confidentiality of agency information.
Each section can be part of an overall training curriculum or stand-alone training material. The chapters also present the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies standards on each activity of the pretrial service agency and discussion questions for each topic. The overview of bail reform notes that the change in emphasis from financial ability to post bail to a defendant’s likelihood of appearance and potential danger to the public illustrates the changes in the bail system since the 1960’s. The result is a bail system that is more equitable in granting release but still considerate of the public’s right to safety and the need for the orderly administration of justice. The next chapter explains the benefits of pretrial services agencies and outlines these agencies’ basic duties. Additional chapters explain the target population, the defendant advisement, the types of risk assessments, the factors related to the success of a risk assessment, the development of supervised pretrial release, the appropriate use of pretrial services agency information, and other rules of confidentiality. Footnotes and 26 references