NCJ Number
230761
Date Published
September 2009
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This National Association of Counties (NACo) document presents a pretrial service program strategy for counties to reduce jail populations.
Abstract
NACo's 2009 American County Platform is an effective strategy many counties use to reduce jail populations while maintaining community safety and represents an ideal pretrial service program. The plan calls for counties to establish alternatives to money bail such as pretrial services programs. The role of the county official is essential in jail population management, specifically through the management of the pretrial population. The strategy promotes the county official to take the lead to establish or improve a jail population collaborative which brings system stakeholders together. If pretrial services exist or are deemed to be a needed service, the county official can play a role in ensuring that the program is overseen by informed managers, asking the right questions, and being committed to improving jail functioning for the benefit of the community at large. Committing to pretrial programs can save county dollars and increase the functioning of the local jails by releasing and supervising those who pose manageable risk. Included in the document are the model program guide, implementation details, and examples of counties who implemented a successful strategy. Charts, references, and appendixes