NCJ Number
11130
Date Published
1973
Length
19 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVES TO BAIL EXPERIMENT TO ENSURE APPEARANCE OF ACCUSED PERSONS AT TRIAL AND TO DETERMINE EXTENT TO WHICH PERSONS ON BAIL COMMIT ADDITIONAL CRIMES.
Abstract
THE INDIANAPOLIS BAIL PROJECT PERSONNEL INTERVIEW ARRESTEES AND RECOMMEND RELEASE ON THEIR OWN RECOGNIZANCE AFTER NO MORE THAN A NIGHT IN JAIL. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BASED ON FACTORS SUCH AS PRIOR CRIMINAL HISTORY, LENGTH OF RESIDENCE, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TIES. OVER ONE-THIRD OF THOSE RELEASED WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY OR HAD CHARGES DISMISSED, PREVENTING PRETRIAL PUNISHMENT BY PAYMENT OF BOND COSTS OR BY INCARCERATION. THE PROJECT HAS REDUCED COURT DELAYS AND SAVED TAXPAYERS THE EXPENSE OF JAIL COSTS FOR PRETRIAL DETENTION OF THOSE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO AFFORD BOND. INDIANAPOLIS LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE COURTS AS BAIL COMMISSIONERS. THE STUDY CITES EXAMPLES OF PRETRIAL RELEASE.