Core Components of Intentional Pretrial Supervision

• In Event: A New Model of Intentional Pretrial Supervision: Development, Implementation, and Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

In the context of pretrial supervision, pretrial officers must balance ensuring compliance with court-ordered conditions and addressing clients’ complex needs with the need to safeguard the presumption of innocence. Unfortunately, officers lack access to approaches that balance these competing interests. To address this limitation, we adapted a supervision model used in Cass County, Indiana for broader implementation. Intentional Pretrial Supervision leverages best practices in voluntary services engagement and strengths-based approaches to encourage personal development. We developed the model following review of local supervision practices to understand current appointment lengths, caseloads, and appointment structure and format. Intentional Pretrial Supervision includes three primary components: 1) a structured meeting approach to provide greater consistency to appointments and support clients in meeting the conditions of supervision; 2) voluntary needs screening and referral using the Pretrial Needs Tool (PNT), an integrated screening, services identification, and referral tool; and 3) goals planning to integrate strengths-based development into supervision appointments. The Intentional Pretrial Supervision model also incorporates motivational interviewing to encourage voluntary services engagement and trauma-informed approaches that build trust between the client and officer. This model may be transportable to other jurisdictions looking to deliver voluntary but intentional intervention in pretrial supervision settings.

Authors

• Evan Marie Lowder, George Mason University

• Hillary Hartoin, Cass County Court and Pretrial Services

• Peyton Frye, George Mason University

• Troy Hatfield, Center for Effective Public Policy