Pretrial detention choices may harm racial minorities, according to research. According to 10-year federal district court research, Hispanic defendants are released at lower rates than white offenders of equivalent safety and nonappearance risk. The study also revealed that the Pretrial Services Agency advises imprisoning black defendants more than white defendants of equivalent risk. Conventional disparate treatment studies show less discrimination. Implementing risk-based threshold release regulations could resolve these inequalities.

Image courtesy of interviewee. January 12, 2024