Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR)

Overview

APPR is a collaborative, multi-year project that promotes and facilitates advancements in pretrial justice. We seek to achieve fair, just, equitable, and effective pretrial practices that positively impact people, systems, and communities. APPR’s mission is to support and engage pretrial professionals and community members in the meaningful delivery of data-informed pretrial justice. CEPP leads all APPR activities with support from Arnold Ventures. 

Our Approach

Implementing and sustaining effective pretrial improvements requires deliberate, systemic, collaborative processes among all partners and stakeholders. These include the broader community and people most directly impacted by the pretrial system. APPR takes a comprehensive approach to this work. We assist jurisdictions by helping them form collaborative teams, establish a vision, center equity, engage the community, understand pretrial law and research, develop impactful policies, measure outcomes, communicate to the public, and continuously review and improve pretrial practices. 

APPR activities include: 

• Leveraging our national expertise to help jurisdictions create an intentional system of pretrial detention and release, and work collaboratively with coalitions and other advocates to bridge the gaps among state policymakers, local practitioners, and community members. 

• Engaging jurisdictions in an innovative strategic planning process to evaluate their current pretrial systems and develop an actionable plan to improve pretrial outcomes and enhance community safety and well-being. 

• Maintaining and developing PSA resources, advising and assisting jurisdictions using the PSA and offering virtual and in-person trainings on PSA implementation, scoring, and fidelity. 

• Managing the APPR website and developing pretrial resources that provide practical guidance for studying, planning for, and implementing pretrial improvements 

• Facilitating the APPR Community, where pretrial practitioners ask questions, share their experiences, and connect with peers. 

• Offering an array of free virtual trainings that cover a broad range of pretrial topics. 

• Engaging with the media to explain how pretrial systems work and making CEPP experts available for interviews.  

• Connecting through LinkedIn and X, and sharing stories through its YouTube channel. 

The Impact

Through the APPR initiative, CEPP is creating a model for pretrial improvements that is sustainable and systemic, and that contributes to culture change. We are also transforming technical assistance with a deep, ongoing focus on advancing racial equity through meaningful community engagement and data-driven work designed to transform policies and practices. 

APPR is building a national community of practice that connects pretrial practitioners with one another and a diverse set of experts. Thousands of people access the APPR website for reliable information and resources about pretrial justice, like the APPR Roadmap for Pretrial Advancement and APPR’s series of Pretrial Research Summaries. Through nationwide training sessions and workshops led by CEPP staff, pretrial practitioners gain the knowledge they need to implement improvements in their own jurisdictions. 

CEPP’s work through APPR sparks a transformative approach to pretrial justice with practical resources, rigorous research, and clearly articulated models for jurisdictions to follow.