An empirical analysis of pre-trial release decisions

The decision whether or not to allow indigent defendants pre-trial freedom from confinement is one which has aroused considerable interest and controversy in the field of criminal justice in recent years. Several innovative programs have attempted to provide decision-makers with relevant information, however, to date, there have been remarkably few empirical examinations of the pre-trial release decision. This study presents findings of an experimental release program and the relationships between the information available to decision-makers and the criteria of appearance at trial and arrest while on pre-trial release. A validation study of the Vera Institute scale was also performed.