Assessing the Effectiveness of Varying Pretrial Supervision Intensities and Special Conditions

• In Event: Improving Pretrial Systems Through Research-Practice Partnerships: Findings From the Pretrial Justice Collaborative Project

Abstract

As more jurisdictions across the country are seeking to reduce their jail populations, many view pretrial supervision and special conditions, such as electronic and sobriety monitoring, as potential alternatives to pretrial detention. Yet, existing studies of the effectiveness of these conditions have methodological limitations and mixed findings. The present study contributes cross-jurisdictional evidence on the effects of supervision intensity and special conditions using case-level data in four diverse jurisdictions across the United States. This study employed regression discontinuity design and propensity score matching techniques to test whether less restrictive conditions were as effective as more restrictive conditions in helping clients make their court hearings and avoid new arrests while on pretrial release. The study found that lower-intensity supervision was as effective as higher-intensity supervision, and that special conditions of release such as sobriety monitoring and electronic monitoring similarly do not improve court appearance or pretrial rearrest rates. These findings warrant reflection among policymakers and practitioners, particularly considering the high personal and financial costs of these release conditions for those directly affected and for jurisdictions.

Authors

• Chloe Anderson, MDRC

• Erin Valentine, Independent Consultant

• Daron Holman, MDRC

• Sarah Picard, MDRC Center for Criminal Justice Research