Implementing Evidence Based Risk and Needs Assessment during the Pretrial Phase in Baltimore, Maryland

The goal of Smart Prosecution Initiative is to develop a body of knowledge about data-driven strategies — innovative, best practice, or evidenced-based — as they are implemented by prosecutors. Smart Prosecution applicants will identify a problem to be addressed and enlist an independent research partner to help evaluate the effectiveness of their smart prosecution effort. Smart Prosecution applications require a research partner/organization as part of the application. Areas of focus for this solicitation include, but are not limited to, applying best or evidenced-based practices to contemporary crime problems and criminogenic circumstances; developing innovative data-driven and crime analysis approaches to reduce crime; improving internal office procedures that ensure public trust and confidence in the justice system; or inculcating innovative, best or evidence-based approaches in local offices.

Building upon the work of the Wisconsin’s Milwaukee County Early Intervention Programs, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City (SAO) and its partner Applied Research Services, Inc. will use the grant funds to develop an automated evidence-based risk assessment tool for SAO staff to evaluate pretrial offenders held at Baltimore’s City Jail. The goals of using a data-driven assessment tool are: to make evidence-based release recommendations to reduce unnecessary incarceration and related costs; to identify offenders for the SAO’s diversion and alternative to incarceration programs; and to identify and resolve inefficiencies that currently exist in the SAO’s internal processes. CA/NCF

The goal of Smart Prosecution Initiative is to develop a body of knowledge about data-driven strategies innovative, best practice, or evidenced-based as they are implemented by prosecutors. Smart Prosecution applicants will identify a problem to be addressed and enlist an independent research partner to help evaluate the effectiveness of their smart prosecution effort. Smart Prosecution applications require a research partner/organization as part of the application. Areas of focus for this solicitation include, but are not limited to, applying best or evidenced-based practices to contemporary crime problems and criminogenic circumstances; developing innovative data-driven and crime analysis approaches to reduce crime; improving internal office procedures that ensure public trust and confidence in the justice system; or inculcating innovative, best or evidence-based approaches in local offices. Building upon the work of the Wisconsins Milwaukee County Early Intervention Programs, the Office of the States Attorney for Baltimore City (SAO) and its partner Applied Research Services, Inc. will use the grant funds to develop an automated evidence-based risk assessment tool for SAO staff to evaluate pretrial offenders held at Baltimores City Jail. The goals of using a data-driven assessment tool are: to make evidence-based release recommendations to reduce unnecessary incarceration and related costs; to identify offenders for the SAOs diversion and alternative to incarceration programs; and to identify and resolve inefficiencies that currently exist in the SAOs internal processes. CA/NCF