Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR) is offering a free virtual training, PSA Scoring and Fundamentals. The training is on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET.
About the Training
As jurisdictions nationwide use or explore the Public Safety Assessment (PSA), questions often arise about what the PSA is designed to do, how its factors are defined, and how to apply scoring rules in practice. In this training we’ll introduce the PSA, discussing what the tool is — and is not — and reviewing the nine factors used to score the assessment. We’ll also explore common scoring questions and scenarios, discuss when to update an existing PSA versus completing a new assessment, and look at how guidance and recommended practices have evolved since the PSA was first introduced. Whether you’re already scoring the PSA and want a refresher or are part of a jurisdiction considering implementation, this session will provide practical guidance to help you understand and using the PSA most effectively.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the purpose and intended uses of the PSA.
- Explain the PSA factors and scoring definitions.
- Apply PSA scoring guidance to common scenarios.
- Identify how PSA guidance and recommended practices have evolved.
Training Faculty
Jessica Ireland, senior manager, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Ireland has over 20 years of justice system experience at the local and state levels. She previously served as the program manager for Mecklenburg County Pretrial Services in North Carolina. Ms. Ireland is a national expert on the PSA and works with jurisdictions across the country to help them implement the tool.
Tara Boh Blair, senior manager, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Blair was the Executive Officer for the Kentucky Court of Justice, Administrative Office of the Courts, Department of Pretrial Services, retiring in September 2021 after 26 years with the department. She helped implement the PSA statewide in Kentucky and is a resident expert on the tool; she has 30 years of experience in the pretrial field.
Tyrone Allen Harper II, pretrial services administrator, Douglas County, Nebraska
Mr. Harper has worked in many facets of the criminal justice system, including 9 years in pretrial, his time as Security Forces in the USAF, and serving as a Probation Officer with the NC Dept. of Public Safety. He has been privileged to serve as co-team lead, overseeing the expansion of Pretrial Release in Douglas County, where he implemented the PSA in 2022. He has been a key stakeholder, working with APPR in restructuring and rebranding pretrial in the city of Omaha.
Registration Process
If you are interested in attending the training session on November 18, please complete the training registration.
Please direct any questions to Samuel Steed, operations assistant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, at ssteed@cepp.com.
