Topic: Data Analysis

Research Report

Courts Data Analysis Pretrial April 24, 2026

Improving Access to Pretrial Support in Missoula County, Montana

Overuse of jail incarceration is a significant issue in the United States, with many people detained pretrial because they cannot afford to pay the monetary bail required for their release. In Missoula County, Montana, stakeholders identified gaps in pretrial support services and barriers to court appearances as key drivers of jail incarceration. With support from the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge, municipal court judges established the Pretrial Assistance to Support Success (PASS) program to help people navigate the court process and reduce barriers to court appearance.

Why This Matters

The availability of pretrial supports plays a critical role in whether people released from jail successfully navigate the pretrial period without violating the terms of their release or committing new offenses. Many jurisdictions rely on pretrial supervision programs and compliance-based conditions that can be difficult to meet, particularly for people facing housing instability, transportation barriers, or behavioral health challenges. When these underlying challenges go unaddressed, people are more likely to miss their court dates or violate the terms of their release, increasing their risk of further entanglement in the criminal legal system. Addressing these barriers through supportive services can improve court compliance while reducing reliance on jail incarceration.

What We Found

The PASS program in Missoula County offers voluntary supportive services to help people navigate the municipal court process and meet pretrial conditions. Stakeholders reported that the program had improved court appearance rates, access to resources and services, and collaboration among local criminal legal system stakeholders. The program’s focus on support and human interactions, rather than restrictive supervision practices like drug testing or electronic monitoring, was viewed as critical to its success improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and people with mental and behavioral health needs in particular. Implementation challenges included maintaining contact with high-needs participants, insufficient supportive services in the broader community, and early messaging and communication barriers.

How We Did It

Our methodology for this case study included semistructured interviews with 29 key criminal legal system stakeholders in Missoula County and 7 PASS program participants; review of SJC progress reports and other documentation related to the development and implementation of the program; analysis of program data provided by local stakeholders; and examination of jail population data collected by the Institute for State and Local Governance. We analyzed transcripts and notes from the interviews using NVivo qualitative analysis software, applying a codebook developed to identify themes related to the implementation of the PASS program and other local criminal legal system reform efforts in Missoula County.

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Research Report

Courts Data Analysis Incarceration Trends March 31, 2026

Creating an Initial Appearance Court in Clark County, Nevada

Jail incarceration is a critical issue in the United States, and pretrial detention accounts for a substantial share of local jail populations. Spending prolonged time in jail before trial can have far-reaching consequences for people, disrupting their employment, access to stable housing, and family responsibilities. With support from the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), Clark County, Nevada, established the Initial Appearance Court to reduce the amount of time between a person’s arrest and their first court appearance. This case study examines the implementation of that strategy.

Why This Matters

Delays between arrest and initial court appearance can result in unnecessary detention, even for people who may ultimately never be charged by prosecutors. These delays increase jail populations, strain local resources, and contribute to disparities in criminal legal system outcomes. Seeing a judge faster allows for earlier release decisions, which can reduce negative outcomes associated with prolonged jail incarceration for individuals and jurisdictions alike.

What We Found

Clark County established the Initial Appearance Court to ensure that people arrested in the county are seen by a judge within 24 hours. Stakeholders reported that the Initial Appearance Court reduced time spent in jail before first appearance, improved efficiency, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and enabled more individualized bail decisions. Challenges included the combination of a high case volume and the rapid turnaround times associated with the court, staffing demands, and keeping people connected to supports after their release.

How We Did It

This case study draws on three primary data sources: semistructured interviews with 12 key criminal legal system stakeholders in Clark County conducted in 2025; SJC progress reports and other documentation related to the development and implementation of the Initial Appearance Court; and jail population data collected by the Institute for State and Local Governance. We analyzed transcripts from the interviews using NVivo qualitative analysis software, applying a codebook developed to identify themes related to the Initial Appearance Court’s implementation and other local criminal legal system reform efforts.

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Research Report

COVID Data Analysis Reentry January 15, 2026

Reducing Los Angeles County’s Jail Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This brief explores how Los Angeles County, with support from the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC)—an initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to reduce overincarceration and disparities in jail populations—deployed and expanded strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the local jail population.

Why This Matters

Thousands of people are held in jail on any given day, with more than two-thirds of them awaiting trial. Many millions more cycle through jails every year. Even a short jail stay can have devastating consequences for individuals, including loss of employment, family instability, and financial difficulties. National efforts like the Safety and Justice Challenge have sought to reduce overincarceration in jails while maintaining public safety, recognizing the importance of jails in the larger picture of mass incarceration in the United States. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, jurisdictions across the country launched emergency response strategies to reduce their jail populations, resulting in historic drops. Though many of these strategies have since been suspended, many places, like Los Angeles County, have adopted them as standard practice. Jurisdictions interested in reducing their jail populations can consider implementing strategies similar to Los Angeles to realize jail population reduction goals in their local contexts.

What We Found

Los Angeles County developed new strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the local jail population and expanded existing ones, including

• a jail population review council,
• a county-wide zero bail policy,
• a pretrial release evaluation program pilot,
• a rapid diversion program,
• a workgroup to plan closing the Men’s Central Jail, and
• Measure J.

How We Did It

To develop this case study, we drew on three primary sources: semistructured interviews with 13 Los Angeles County stakeholders (conducted between April 2023 and February 2024), analysis of SJC progress reports and public documents, and jail population trends analyzed by the Institute for State and Local Governance. Interviewees represented a range of justice agencies and community partners, sharing insights on COVID-19 reforms, challenges, and successes. We analyzed the interviews using NVivo qualitative software, applying a codebook developed to identify trends and themes related to local reform efforts and jail population reduction strategies.

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Issue Brief

Crime Data Analysis Incarceration Trends Racial and Ethnic Disparities January 14, 2026

Research Brief: The Impact of Jail Reduction Strategies on Community Safety: Findings from Two Safety & Justice Challenge Sites

This study examined whether the jail reduction strategies implemented in two SJC sites reduced jail populations without increasing crime or sacrificing community safety. Findings suggest that incarceration can be avoided without negatively impacting public safety, with recidivism rates declining after SJC implementation. Further, less time in jail resulted in greater public safety; shorter jail stays were associated with lower recidivism risk.

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Research Report

Crime Data Analysis Incarceration Trends Racial and Ethnic Disparities January 14, 2026

The Impact of Jail Reduction Strategies on Community Safety: Findings from Two Safety & Justice Challenge Sites

This study examined whether the jail reduction strategies implemented in two SJC sites reduced jail populations without increasing crime or sacrificing community safety. Findings suggest that incarceration can be avoided without negatively impacting public safety, with recidivism rates declining after SJC implementation. Further, less time in jail resulted in greater public safety; shorter jail stays were associated with lower recidivism risk.

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