Pretrial Services Programs
National Pretrial Services was established in July, 1978. MERRIMACK COUNTY PRETRIAL SERVICES was established in July, 2000.
In 1998 the Merrimack County Attorney’s office began to research how the program might benefit the County with regard to budgetary savings as well as assisting the County Jail with over population problems and reducing liability and increasing safety.
Between 1998 through 2007, 2,477 individuals charged with varying levels of crimes have participated in the Merrimack County pretrial release program.
1. An average of 34% of jail interviews enroll in MCPTS.
2. An average of 31 clients per month enrolls in MCPTS.
SAVINGS
The County reports the “Actual Cost” to incarcerate a single inmate for a year to be approximately $23,725.00 or $65.00 per day.
MCPTS recorded 41,298 client supervision days for 2007
Equals: $2,725,320.00
MCPTS 2007 Operating Budget was approximately: $200,000.00
Using this equation, the Pretrial Program is a substantial savings to the county even when you consider the cost of running the program which is figured at approximately $10.50 per day – per inmate on average.
BENEFITS:
- Providing better assurance for Public Safety
- Providing varying levels of supervision to defendant’s court may want more than release on just Personal Recognizance bail
- Providing defendant background for court to make more informed decision (Verifying residency, employment, school attendance, ties to community, criminal background, and vehicle driving record)
- Monitoring defendant’s court dates to insure appearance.
- Keep Defendants working, responsible and caring for their families
- Providing Life Skills & Programs for Re-Habilitation
- Defendants are Less likely to Re-Offend while under supervision
RECIDIVISM:
Clients RE-ARRESTED while on program: 3-5%
Clients bail REVOKED due to violations while on program: 5%
Clients RE-OFFEND and return to MCPTS after release from program: 10%
Enrollment by year:
2000 – 22 Clients
2001 – 222 Clients
2002 – 240 Clients
2003 – 297 Clients
2004 – 358 Clients
2005 – 376 Clients
2006 – 432 Clients
2007 – 486 Clients
Average number of clients currently maintained in the program is 125 at any given time.
Electronic Monitoring and/or Alcohol Sobrietor are also offered.
GPS Tracking is also available (Highest level of Supervision).
Individual’s Names, Addresses and Charges are faxed as they are updated to any agency that might want them.
Accurate records of ALL jail interviews are kept.
For the Year of 2007
1089 incarcerated defendants were interviewed.
502 of those interviewed were RELEASED to MCPTS. (46%)
91 Average interviews per month
21 Average interviews per week
MCPTS has a current operating staff of 5 pretrial officers including the supervisor and 1 staff member who is assigned as Jail / Court Liaison. Most case managers are Deputized Sheriffs with full arrest powers and some rotate schedules and responsibilities weekly.
Each is cross trained in responsibilities and work rotating shifts.
Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor
REFERRALS
The Court may order that a defendant be screened for the need of substance abuse Education and/or Treatment and follow all recommendations thereof.
The SCREENING is NOT to be misunderstood for an EVALUATION or ASSESSMENT.
When referred by the court to be screened for Substance Abuse Issues, the LADC does a Psychosocial on the defendant.
This testing consists of:
SASSI: Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory
MAST: Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test
DSM IV-TR: Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV-TR
After the screening, referrals and/or recommendations are made by the LADC then supervised & monitored by Pretrial Services Staff.
ANGER MANAGEMENT / BATTERERS INTERVENTION
REFERRALS
The court may order that a defendant be screened for Anger Management/Batterers Intervention and follow recommendations thereof.
Counselor contact information is provided at initial Intake interview and it is the responsibility of the client to call and make an appointment for an Intake Screening.
The recommendations of the Clinician are strictly monitored and compliance reported to the court, prosecution, and defense.