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Pretrial Training and Technical Assistance Project

Award Information

Award #
2016-DP-BX-K003
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2016
Total funding (to date)
$600,000
Original Solicitation

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2016, $600,000)

The National Training and Technical Assistance for Pretrial Release Decision-Making (Pretrial TTA) initiative focuses on maximizing BJA’s investments in pretrial justice through the use of data, research, and innovation, which are BJA’s strategic priorities. This TTA continues the model developed under the Smart Pretrial Initiative (see www.pretrial.org/smartpretrial/), providing TTA to jurisdictions in addition to the current three Smart Pretrial sites. The Smart Pretrial model works with jurisdictions and practitioners to move to a pretrial model that uses data, research, and evidence-based approaches in risk assessment to inform the release or detain decision and employs improved validated tools and risk management strategies in pretrial oversight. The goal of pretrial justice is safe, fair, and effective pretrial procedures in all counties nationwide.

This program is funded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Training and Technical Assistance Program (“Pub. L. No. 114-113, 129 Stat 2242, 2306.”).

This funding will support TTA and research assistance to jurisdictions other than the current Smart Pretrial sites. Recognizing that the research is still limited in this area, BJA is seeking a partner to provide TTA who will focus on building the capacity of jurisdictions to use existing research knowledge and innovation to evaluate and expand the knowledge base in this area.

The successful applicant will work with local, state, or tribal jurisdictions to implement the seven key elements of Smart Pretrial listed above, which are designed to operationalize the goals and values of the Smart Pretrial model. The three goals of this TTA are to maximize public safety, court appearances, and the appropriate use of release, release conditions, detention, and public resources using the Smart Pretrial model. The three values that guide this TTA are safety, fairness, and effectiveness—values essential to pretrial justice, upheld by the law, and supported by current research.

CA/NCF

Date Created: September 26, 2016