A Mixed Method Approach to Operationalizing "Pretrial"

• In Event: Lightning Talk: Advancing Criminological Research Through Innovative Methodologies

Abstract

In interagency meetings and interactions with stakeholders, analysts from various agencies typically present measures like, “the pretrial population detained in the jail”. While some articles and white papers offer definitions and guides to calculating the pretrial population, more often, tacit knowledge about agency operations and data structures heavily influences how this measure is defined, generated, and interpreted in the local context. Conflicts arise when others within and outside of the agency define "pretrial" differently, and conflicting figures further erode public trust in police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the courts.

As part of larger justice technology modernization efforts in New Orleans, a team of analysts and data scientists is using a mixed method approach to establish standardized definitions and methods for generating legal system measures so that they are uniform across agencies, relevant to our local context, and actionable for decision-makers and stakeholders. This lightning talk focuses on an example, drawn from our efforts to operationalize the terms “pre-acceptance” and “pretrial”, that highlights the challenges and potential for increased knowledge and capacity building in this work. The lightning talk should be of interest to data analysts and users of criminal legal system data products.

Authors

• Theresa McKinney, Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, City of New Orleans

• Nathaniel Weaver, Chief Administrator's Office, City of New Orleans