NCJ Number
1553
Date Published
Unknown
Length
10 pages
Annotation
VERA FOUNDATION@S MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT AND THE PRETRIAL FREEDOM GIVEN BY IT TO STATISTICALLY GOOD RISK POOR PEOPLE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THIS PAMPHLET EXPLAINS THE DILEMMA OF POOR PEOPLE, AND THE PRE-TRIAL CONFINEMENT AND EXCESSIVE BAIL AS BEING THEIR ONLY ALTERNATIVES IN THE PAST. THE MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT GAVE INDIGENTS WITH COMMUNITY TIES, AND WHO WERE ACCUSED OF LESS SERIOUS OFFENSES, A NEW ALTERNATIVE RELEASE ON THEIR HONOR PENDING TRIAL. A POINT SYSTEM WAS DEVISED TO SUPPLEMENT THE INTERVIEW BY A LAW STUDENT, WHICH, IF IT WAS MET BY THE DEFENDANT, WAS VERIFIED. VERIFICATION RESULTED IN A RECOMMENDATION FOR PRE-TRIAL PAROLE. THE STUDY WAS COMPARED WITH A CONTROL GROUP OF TRADITIONAL BONDEES AND THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE PRE -TRIAL PAROLEES FAILED TO APPEAR FOR COURT LESS OFTEN THAN THE CONTROLS. THE REPORT SUGGESTS OTHER SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS PLUS ADOPTION OF THE INNOVATION BY OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS.