Probation and Pretrial Services – Annual Report 2024

Promoting Evidence-Based Decision Making

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) continued to lead efforts in 2024 to promote evidence-informed decisions aimed at improving pretrial services outcomes around the country. Probation and pretrial services officers received training in the use of the Pretrial Risk Assessment (PTRA), an actuarial tool that helps officers and judges assess the risk of rearrest, missed court appearances, or revocation for released defendants. PTRA presentations were also made to district and magistrate judges, assistant U.S. attorneys, and federal defenders.

During the year, officers participated in the Detention Reduction Outreach Program, an onsite education and training program aimed at reducing pretrial detention that focuses on PTRA education, data analysis, and bringing stakeholders together for an open discussion. The AO also promoted the use of pretrial digital dashboards that allow judges to analyze their release decisions and compare them to pretrial patterns at the national, circuit, and district levels. 

Data-driven decision making is also being used to improve post-conviction supervision outcomes. A 2024 study by AO researchers examined the use of early termination, which gives courts discretion to shorten supervision terms for people on federal probation or terms of supervised release. The research found that shortening supervision terms through early termination does not pose a risk to community safety and reduces costs. Individuals released through early termination had similar rearrest rates compared with those who completed their full supervision terms.

The use of early termination has been on the rise in recent years, with approximately one of four successful case closures now occurring through this process. Overall, the findings suggest that early termination is a viable option for shortening federal supervision sentences while maintaining public safety and reducing costs.

Enhancements in Location Monitoring

In 2024, the AO expanded the national location monitoring contract to include a smartphone application, GPS wrist-worn devices, and remote alcohol monitoring technologies. The expanded options give the courts more alternatives to detention and allow them to address an individual’s risks and needs more effectively, including options for those with medical conditions that prevent the installation of ankle-worn devices. In addition, expanding the national contract to include remote alcohol monitoring technologies will reduce the workload associated with local procurement and contract oversight and will integrate with the Probation and Pretrial Services’ case management system. The new contract will run until September 30, 2033.

In a report completed in 2024, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that the Judiciary’s location monitoring program is a safe and effective alternative to detention. Notably, the GAO report showed that nearly all individuals on pretrial services location monitoring — 98 percent — “had zero instances of absconding from the location monitoring program.” Also, it found that 92 percent had no new criminal charges during the 2018 to 2022 time period, and 84 percent had no instances of failing to appear in court as required.

Boosting Officer Recruitment and Community Outreach

The AO wrapped up two major initiatives in 2024 to enhance recruitment of talented people to work in the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services system.

The AO released the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Recruitment Playbook, a resource guide compiling ideas, strategies, and best practices for recruitment, hiring, and retention. The guide provides chief probation and pretrial services officers and their recruitment teams with practical steps to enhance recruitment and outreach, screening, hiring, talent management, organizational culture, and retention. 

The AO also revamped and modernized the Probation and Pretrial Services section of USCourts.gov, the Judiciary’s public-facing website. The updated site features new narratives, photographs, videos, and infographics to illustrate the vital role federal probation and pretrial services officers have in the delivery of justice for the Judiciary. There are separate pages dedicated to pretrial services, presentence investigations, evidence-based practices, post-conviction supervision, officers’ duties, and the national training academy. The more user-friendly website is a powerful tool for recruitment and public understanding of the system.

Implementing Amendments to Sentencing Guidelines

Over the past year, AO staff worked to ensure the smooth implementation of recent amendments to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Guidelines Manual. For example, AO staff worked with the commission, the Department of Justice, and the Bureau of Prisons to facilitate the resentencing and reentry of inmates whose terms of imprisonment were reduced as a result of retroactive amendments to the guidelines. The AO collected and analyzed data on the number of sentence reductions and tracked the number of inmates who were released early to serve a term of supervised release. Also, AO staff updated national forms to conform with the guideline amendments, including those related to compassionate release.