Research Capsule: A History of Bail & Pretrial Release

Article: A History of Bail and Pretrial Release (pdf) Author/Publication: Timothy Schnacke, et al / Pretrial Justice Institute Summary Bail reform is a work in progress: the origin of pre-trial release pre-dates the Magna Carta (1012 ad)! And it was created to address--what else?--overcrowded jai...
April 4, 2012

Safety in Numbers?

The Atlantic profiled the work of University of Pennsylvania statistician Richard Berk last month. Berk uses statistical prediction models to conduct risk assessment of criminal offenders. Berk’s expertise is being sought at nearly every stage of the criminal-justice process. Maryland is running an...
February 22, 2012

Policy Perspectives: Dr. Shari Diamond on Bond Court

Recently, Chicago Appleseed sat down with Northwestern University Professor of Law and social psychologist Dr. Shari Diamond to discuss her remarkable recent work on courts and juries. In 2010, Dr. Diamond published a study (pdf) of Cook County Bond Court establishing a causal relationship betwee...
February 17, 2012

Reducing Urban Crime and Violence Forum Discusses Alternatives to Incarceration

The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Urban Education Institute co-hosted a panel discussion on criminal justice and education responses to Chicago violence. The first panel just concluded, with the following participants: Moderator: James Warren, Columnist | Chicago News Cooperative The Honora...
February 10, 2012

Cook County Bond Court Overlooks Critical Information

This editorial originally appeared at the Huffington Post.  In less than the time it takes to make an ATM withdrawal, Cook County Bond Court judges make decisions affecting individual liberty and the public safety. This way of transacting justice exacts a dear convenience fee -- defendants' liberty...
February 2, 2012