NCJ Number
81126
Date Published
1981
Length
46 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from an evaluation of a central intake program designed to reduce the population of pretrial detainees in the Pierce County Jail (Wash.).
Abstract
A principal goal of the central intake program was the provision of verified demographic information on defendants so that arraignment decisions could be more rational and produce the pretrial release of good risks who would otherwise be jailed until trial. The intake staff, in addition to providing information relevant to arraignment decisions, also provided crisis intervention referral services at booking. The evaluation considered the impact of screening and case management services on a reduction of the jail population, jail costs, and pretrial detainee custody time. Data were generated from a comparison of screened and unscreened pretrial detainees, interviews with judges and jailers, comparison of jail incidents before and after the program, trend analysis of jail release on personal recognizance and failure-to-appear rate, as well as interview findings and case studies from the jail family resource coordinator. Findings show that the program has met its goal of markedly reducing the pretrial jail population and the length of stay for pretrial detainees. The program's exemplary service, quality staff, and capable leadership offers a model for other jails encumbered by large pretrial detainee populations. The implications for replicating such a program in other jails in the State should be explored with State corrections administrators and the jail commission. Tabular data are provided.