Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Pretrial release and diversion are programs that keep defendants in the community instead of incarceration. Pretrial release is defined as ‘a non-monetary alternative to detention for defendants who are unable to post bail.’ Diversion is an alternative to prosecution that seeks to divert certain offenders from traditional criminal justice processing into a program of supervision and services. 

    Defendants on pretrial release pose two major types of risks: nonappearance for scheduled court dates and commission of a new criminal offense.  Risk assessment instruments attempt to predict these behaviors.  Research on factors that predict recidivism (future rearrest) has found that defendants with more serious criminal histories are more likely to be re-arrested during the pretrial period than those with less serious criminal histories, and community ties, particularly employment, reduce the likelihood of pretrial rearrest.

    Given what you’ve learned this semester, please write an essay/reflection paper that addresses the following questions:

-          What types of programs work best for reducing recidivism?

-          Are there risk assessment instruments that are better able to predict recidivism today?

-          In your opinion, what types of technologies and innovations hold the most promise for ensuring that offenders won’t recidivate? Which types of programs seem least effective?

-          Do you believe that there are any criminal behaviors that should bar offenders from being released pretrial or participating in diversion programs?

        Essays should be typed, double-spaced, using a 12pt. font.  The reflection paper should include a title page and be 4 - 5 full pages in length. The paper will reflect your critical thinking and examination of the assigned topic.  Each student is expected to apply their writing skills to prepare his or her paper. Your grade will, in part, be determined by your treatment of the topic, original, critical thinking, and your use of proper grammar and punctuation (see, Grading Criteria rubric).