Evidence-Based Practices & Key Functions

The Case Manager meets individually with each newly detained individual in the Orange County Detention Center prior to the First Appearance.

Pretrial Release Services performs the following evidence-based practices and key functions:

Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument - Revised (VPRAI-R)

The Case Manager compiles and verifies information on each detained individual for judicial officials to use when determining pretrial release conditions. Starting in late 2017 after a 90-day pilot, Pretrial Release Services has begun utilizing an evidence-based risk assessment tool: The Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument - Revised (VPRAI-R). Each individual is assessed for the VPRAI-R risk factors and given a risk assessment score and level. 

The Case Manager will provide a recommendation to the Court about whether pretrial release supervision is appropriate and if so, what level of supervision is indicated by the matrix that factors risk level and charge type.

Pretrial Release Supervision

The Case Manager supervises and monitors compliance with all conditions for individuals receiving Pretrial Release from custody while awaiting trial. Four levels of supervision (Monitoring, Levels I, II and III) are available to the Court, and court reminders and graduated amounts of contact with the Case Manager are required for each level.

The Case Manager maintains data on all individuals under Pretrial Release supervision.

Information Verification

After assessing the Risk Factors, the Pretrial Case Manager gathers and verifies information about the person's: 

  • Community ties
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Medical, mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs

The Court may utilize this information to make a more informed decision about release conditions, but this information is also used to assist the Case Manager in supervision of the individual or to share with the Criminal Case Assessment Specialist (LCSW) if the individual remains in custody. Referrals to residential treatment and outpatient providers can also be made by the Case Manager or LCSW.

Supervision Based on Court Appearance & Low Risk

While maintaining the integrity of the judicial process, Pretrial Release Services seeks to minimize unnecessary detention by supervising individuals who are likely to appear for future court dates and do not pose a risk to the community as they await trial. This practice results in reduced rates of incarceration, less disparities based on an individual's race or financial resources and reduced costs for the County. 

Qualifications

Most significantly, individuals who remain in the community pretrial are able to: 

  • Access treatment
  • Aid in their own defense
  • Assert their innocence
  • Maintain employment
  • Maintain stable housing
  • Mitigate the severity of any active prison term that may be imposed at sentencing
  • Remain with family