The time between a person’s arrest and court date is critical for providing services to defendants and enhancing public safety. A new video featuring responses from 256 defendants across 10 Indiana jurisdictions explores the needs, risks, and services most critical during the pretrial period.
Defendants shared their pretrial experiences, including challenges, help facilitators, and recommendations for reform. This 5-minute video highlights their top recommendations for improving the pretrial process by enhancing public safety and providing essential supports.
So, what works? Defendants preferred that courts use risk assessment instruments over money bail to determine pretrial release conditions. They also recommended leveraging risk assessment to connect defendants to needed services. The most pressing needs identified were finances, transportation, stable housing, mental health care, and access to communication devices.
This video and the accompanying study offer valuable insights for policymakers and criminal justice professionals. By implementing defendant-requested resources—such as service referrals, job and housing assistance, court reminders, and flexible childcare options—communities can enhance public safety and reduce deeper involvement in the criminal justice system.
To delve deeper into these findings, watch the full video or explore key takeaways in eight shorts on the Policy Research YouTube channel. These insights are a valuable tool to shape effective pretrial policies.
This video, produced by Policy Research, summarizes research completed by partners at the Early Justice Strategies Lab at George Mason University. Their research article is forthcoming. The research and this video were made possible by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Pretrial Risk Management Project.