Our work is collaborative; grounded in the law, research, and data; and centered on a commitment to equal protection under the law.
County, municipal, and tribal jurisdictions selected through a competitive process engage in an innovative 12-month strategic planning process to evaluate their current system and create an actionable plan to improve pretrial outcomes and enhance community safety and well-being. These jurisdictions will also explore opportunities to conduct research on selected changes. Follow this page to learn when Requests for Applications are open.
Our Pretrial Professional Network (PPN) includes pretrial practitioners, system leaders, and innovators who want to strengthen their impact and shape the future of pretrial justice nationwide. They are available to mentor other pretrial professionals, serve as a national resource, and support individual goals in the pretrial field while advancing broader pretrial justice nationwide.
We offer basic training for pretrial services staff whose daily work shapes the administration of pretrial justice. Training helps staff and leaders clarify their roles, strengthen judgment and communication skills, apply consistent and fair pretrial practices, and improve coordination with judges and other system partners. It comes in flexible packages designed to meet your system goals and budget.
We have learned a lot about statewide pretrial improvements from the experiences of Illinois, New Jersey, and New Mexico. We’re working collaboratively with coalitions and other advocates to bridge the gaps among state policymakers, local practitioners, and community members. And we leverage our national expertise to help jurisdictions create an intentional system of pretrial detention and release consistent with foundational legal principles and best practices.
The Public Safety Assessment (PSA) is the most widely used pretrial assessment in the field. We’re facilitating a team of researchers and expert practitioners to assess options and develop a plan for a research institution to guide future research and potentially improve the tool. We also continue to maintain and develop PSA resources; advise and assist jurisdictions using the PSA; and offer virtual and in-person trainings on PSA implementation, scoring, and fidelity.
Our trainings are offered at no cost and cover a broad range of topics addressing pretrial legal principles, research-based and innovative practices, data collection and performance measurement, change management, and effective implementation. Learn from experienced pretrial practitioners, researchers, and leaders about a wide range of pretrial topics that touch on all aspects of the pretrial system.
Our large and growing collection of pretrial resources provides practical guidance for studying, planning for, and implementing pretrial improvements. You can explore our action-focused resources by pretrial profession or by topic, like data and performance measurement, first appearance or pretrial detention hearings, community engagement, using the Public Safety Assessment, and much more.
Registered users get access to our growing catalogue of on-demand pretrial training.
Training LibraryNothing triggers emotions like crime and public safety. APPR helps pretrial system stakeholders and the media better explain the law and how pretrial systems work. Use our resources and connect with us to speak to our experts.
We can create more fair, effective pretrial justice. But we can’t do it without the media.
The APPR Community is the largest online resource for people working to advance pretrial justice. Connect, share, and learn in this national forum of pretrial professionals, researchers, and experts.
Read about our record of pretrial improvement