Communities across the country are considering reforms to their pretrial systems, with concerns arising on the right about the fiscal and liberty costs of pretrial detention, and concerns arising on the left about how these systems can perpetuate inequality. While some communities have embraced risk assessment tools as one means to effectuate change, many groups remain hostile to such tools and call for other solutions. Alternative models that emphasize supportive services for pretrial defendants are emerging. In this panel we will discuss and illustrate new approaches to supporting pretrial defendants, and explore what remains to be learned and accomplished to produce fairer, less intrusive pretrial systems.

Keir Bradford-Grey
Chief Defender, Defender Association of Philadelphia

James Cadogan
Vice President of Criminal Justice, Arnold Ventures

Paul Heaton
Senior Fellow and Academic Director, Quattrone Center, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Hannah Sassaman
Policy Director, Media Mobilizing Project