National Survey of Pretrial Release Programs
The Pretrial Justice Institute has opened a national survey of pretrial release programs that is the result of collaboration with the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) and the support of the JEHT Foundation. This will be the fourth survey of pretrial release programs and the information provided from these surveys has proved to be a valuable asset to the field of pretrial services.
Continuing to build our knowledge on pretrial practice remains as important as ever. Pretrial programs benefit from information about other jurisdictions to support policy and practice. Program administrators find it beneficial when they can share and exchange information regarding program operation and practice. Through this survey, we will continue to explore your administrative locus, program scope and size, funding and staffing as well as actual program practices. We will gather information on current issues, such as the level of technological innovation in our field, the latest in assessment schemes, and new supervision models and protocols. The survey will also explore how programs are dealing with special populations, such as defendants with mental illness and juveniles charged as adults.
If you have not received an e-mail invitation and wish to participate in this important national survey, please contact Ken Rose at ken@pretrial.org or at (202) 638-3080 x304. This online user-friendly survey will take less than an hour and will close August 15, 2008.

NEW YORK TASK FORCE CALLS FOR EXPANDED PRETRIAL SERVICES

In February 2006, New York State Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye established a Task Force on the Future of Probation in New York State. Judge Kaye charged the task force with the responsibility of drawing on lessons learned from successful innovations in other jurisdictions to develop a model that will strengthen probation. The task force recently released its report in which, among many other recommendations, it called to expanded use of pretrial services.
The task force noted that “pretrial services programs play a critical role in the criminal justice process by assisting courts in their release determinations and minimizing the use of unnecessary pretrial confinement.” The report noted that while pretrial programs in several of the larger counties in the state are run by non-profit organizations, in most of the smaller counties that have pretrial services, the program is run through the county probation departments.
“Probation departments that are given responsibility for pretrial services need to be adequately staffed, trained in the proper role and practices of pretrial services, and provided with the necessary technology to assist in productivity and data collection support to substantiate and audit the program. With proper staffing and access to appropriate resources, these pretrial services programs can help jurisdictions minimize unnecessary pretrial detention, reduce jail crowding, increase public safety and ensure that defendants appear for scheduled court dates.”
Ten counties in the state, according to the report, do not have a functioning pretrial services program. Citing the standards of the American Bar Association and the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies that call on all jurisdictions to have pretrial services, the task force recommended “the establishment of a pretrial services program in every probation department that currently lacks such a program and has no separate pretrial services agency in the county it serves.”
A copy of “Report to the Chief Judge of the State of New York: Task Force on the Future of Probations in New York State,” can be downloaded at: www.nycourts.gov/whatsnew.

PRETRIAL CERTIFICATION TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE FALL OF 2007
NAPSA has conducted a second pretest and evaluation for Pretrial Certification (Level One) during November. Twenty-seven NAPSA members agreed to participate in the test which involved reviewing study materials posted on the web, completing and submitting an on-line application and test, and completing a posttest survey that enabled the association to formulate and present a better test for pretrial practitioners. The time commitment was substantial, and thirteen participants actually completed the process.
Practitioners who took the test and passed with at least a score of 85%, and who completed the survey were awarded a certificate of Pretrial Certification Level One.
It is anticipated that Pretrial Certification will be available to practitioners by the Fall of 2007 after the Board of Directors meets and votes on procedures for implementation.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCIES ( N A P S A )
CODE OF ETHICS

As a pretrial services professional I will:
• Assist the criminal justice system in its dealings with pretrial defendants to the best of my ability and will conduct myself as a professional at all times;
• Respect the dignity of the individual, be they defendants, victims, or fellow criminal justice professionals;
• Respect the dignity and integrity of the court;
• Respect the presumption of innocence of all defendants, until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and to uphold the fundamental right of every accused person who has been arrested and is facing prosecution under the U.S. criminal justice system;
• Pledge that the information I provide to the court and the decisions I make are as accurate and objective as possible;
• Treat all people equally regardless of race, national origin, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or religion;
• Protect the confidentiality of all information obtained, except when necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and/or imminent harm to a defendant or other identifiable person(s);
• Avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety;
• Avoid any conflicts of interest and will not evaluate, supervise and/or provide services to anyone I have an existing relationship with, nor enter into a personal or business relationship with anyone I evaluate, supervise or provide services to;
• Continue to pursue my own professional development and education to further my expertise in the field;
• Promote the growth of pretrial services, as well as encourage and cooperate with research and development in advancing the field; • Respect and promote the fundamental principles and professional standards which guide pretrial services and will implement these best practices to the extent I am able;
• Refrain from providing legal advice to any pretrial defendants; and lastly,
• Promise to conduct myself as an individual of good character who will act in good faith in making reliable ethical judgments.

Send your questions or comments to: NYAPSA.ORG