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BJS Releases Federal Pretrial Release During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fiscal Years 2019–2021

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, today released Federal Pretrial Release During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fiscal Years 2019–2021. This brief Just the Stats report details trends in the federal pretrial release process during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The web report provides data on the numbers of suspects arrested, defendants charged, and initial hearings held from October 2018 to September 2021. It also presents findings on the number and percent of persons released at initial hearings during the same timeframe.

“The percent of persons released at initial hearing peaked at 26% in July 2020, double the percent of persons released a year earlier (13%),” said Kevin M. Scott, PhD, acting director of BJS. “Since then, releases have remained higher than prepandemic levels, ranging between 18% and 23%.”

Title:Federal Pretrial Release During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Fiscal Years 2019–2021 (NCJ 307823)
Authors:Suzanne M. Strong, PhD, BJS Statistician
Where:https://bjs.ojp.gov/federal-pretrial-release-during-coronavirus-pandemic-fiscal-years-2019-2021

 

About the Bureau of Justice Statistics

The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Kevin M. Scott, PhD, is the acting director. More information about BJS and criminal justice statistics can be found at bjs.ojp.gov.
 

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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OFFICE: BJS
CONTACT: OJP Media at [email protected]

Date Published: January 4, 2024