Implementation Guide

Data Analysis Interagency Collaboration Pretrial and Bail October 12, 2018

Case Study: Lessons on Front-End Diversion from Deschutes County, OH

Urban Institute

Front-end diversion efforts—occurring at initial contact with law enforcement—can prevent overuse of jail custody and the negative impacts that accrue from pretrial detention and acquiring or adding to a criminal record. This case study examines the experiences of Deschutes County, Oregon, and Summit County, Ohio, as they implemented front-end diversion interventions. Practitioners interested in implementing similar efforts can take several lessons from the experiences of Deschutes County and Summit County, including the power of prosecutorial involvement and leadership in the process, the importance of stakeholder support and contribution in early design stages, and a focus on securing and maintaining law enforcement buy-in.

Implementation Guide

Human Toll of Jail Interagency Collaboration Pretrial and Bail October 12, 2018

Case Study: Pretrial Strategy for Handling Intimate Partner Violence Cases

Urban Institute

Pretrial agencies are well positioned to manage and mitigate risks of intimate partner violence by monitoring some aggressors in the community and routinely assessing risk levels. This case study highlights Buncombe County, North Carolina’s experience implementing a pretrial protocol that provides nuanced supervision of aggressors who have engaged in intimate partner violence. After one year of implementation, Buncombe County has seen a 10 percent reduction of admissions to jail among people with intimate partner violence charges. The study examines early outcomes and implementation challenges, builds upon scant research about the effective pretrial supervision of IPV cases, and charts a course for other localities that seek to institute an effective response.

Implementation Guide

Data Analysis Interagency Collaboration Pretrial and Bail October 12, 2018

Case Study: Using the Sequential Intercept Model to Guide Local Reform

Urban Institute

The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) provides a framework for addressing the interface between the criminal justice system and mental health system by assessing available community resources, determining service gaps, identifying opportunities to divert people from needless involvement in the criminal justice system, and implementing reforms at six distinct justice decision points, or “intercepts.” This case study examines how three communities used SIM to advance justice reform efforts, including their planning processes and objectives. The study also explores stakeholder reflections on the process and lessons learned, including the importance of neutral facilitators, a diverse and representative group involved in the mapping process, and preparation and education around the SIM.

Implementation Guide

Interagency Collaboration Pretrial and Bail Women in Jail October 12, 2018

Case Study: Implementing Alternatives to Incarceration for Women in Rural Communities

Urban Institute

This case study examines how Campbell County, a rural community in Tennessee, designed and launched the Women In Need Diversion (WIND) program to address the particular needs of women in jail. Drawing on direct program observation and in-person interviews with WIND stakeholders, this case study looks at design and implementation of the program and its early outcomes. The study also highlights lessons for other rural communities, including the importance of relationship building, collaboration across local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith communities, and assessment tools to build knowledge about served populations and overall system capacity.

Implementation Guide

Human Toll of Jail Presumption of Innocence Pretrial and Bail October 12, 2018

Case Study: Supporting Individual Agency in the Pretrial Release Process

Urban Institute

This case study presents the experiences of two counties as they implemented communication strategies focused on engaging pretrial detainees in securing optimal pretrial release and successfully navigating the pretrial release period. Durham County sought to remind anyone released before trial about their court dates by signing them up for a user-friendly web-based service. The share of people who failed to appear in court dropped 6 percentage points from September 2017 to May 2018. Santa Clara County executed a multimedia campaign to inform detainees about nonmonetary release options and reduce overreliance on money bail. The number of non-monetary releases increased and monetary bail releases declined, although this could be due to other reforms. Durham and Santa Clara counties developed effective messages, sought the input of defendants and family members, and used multiple avenues to reach the intended audience.