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The Mission of the D.C. Pretrial Services Agency
To assess, supervise, and provide services for defendants, and collaborate with the justice community, to assist the courts in making pretrial release decisions. We promote community safety and return to court while honoring the constitutional presumption of innocence.
The Vision of the D.C. Pretrial Services Agency
To thrive as a leader within the justice system by developing an empowered workforce that embodies integrity, excellence, accountability, and innovation in the delivery of the highest quality services. |
The following core beliefs and values guide PSA in carrying out its
day-to-day activites in support of its misson:
• The
Constitutional presumption of innocence of each pretrial defendant
should lead to: least restrictive release in the community consistent
with public safety and return to court; preventive detention only
as a last resort based on a judicial determination of the risk of
non-appearance at court and /or dangerousness to any person or to
the community.
• Non-financial conditional release,
based on the history, characteristics, and reliability of the defendant,
is more effective than financial release conditions. Reliance on money
bail discriminates against indigent defendants and cannot effectively
address the need for release conditions to protect the public.
• Pro-social interventions that address substance abuse,
employment, housing, medical, educational, and mental health issues
afford defendants the opportunity for personal improvement and decrease
the likelihood of criminal behavior.
• Innovation and
the development of human captial leads to organizational excellence,
high professional and ethical standards, and accountability to the
public.
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