Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR) is pleased to offer a free virtual training on Quality Assurance and the Public Safety Assessment. The training will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET. The registration deadline is Thursday, April 9.
About the Training
This practitioner-focused training draws on the real-world experience of pretrial professionals from jurisdictions across the country that have implemented PSA quality assurance processes. Participants will learn how practitioners have approached QA in practice, including strategies for building, refining, and sustaining QA policies that support accurate and consistent PSA scoring. The training will also provide ample opportunity for questions, discussion, and practical insights. This training is designed for pretrial practitioners, particularly those responsible for PSA scoring and oversight.
Proper scoring of the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) is essential. It supports the fair and consistent treatment of people, maximizes the assessment’s predictive accuracy, and builds confidence among judicial officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and others who rely on PSA results to inform pretrial decision-making. This training will guide practitioners on quality assurance in scoring the PSA.
When the PSA is scored inaccurately, confidence in the tool quickly erodes. Judicial officers may hesitate to rely on the results, and prosecutors and defense attorneys may challenge the assessment’s validity. Establishing a strong quality assurance (QA) process helps ensure that the PSA is scored accurately and consistently, strengthening trust in the tool and its outcomes.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will:
- Understand why quality assurance matters and how accurate PSA scoring supports fairness, consistency, and confidence in pretrial decision-making
- Identify core components of an effective PSA quality assurance process, drawing on how jurisdictions have implemented QA
- Learn how to begin developing a PSA quality assurance policy, including practical considerations for implementation and sustainability
Training Faculty
Jessica Ireland, senior manager, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Ireland has over 20 years of justice system experience at the local and state levels. She previously served as the program manager for Mecklenburg County Pretrial Services in North Carolina. Ms. Ireland is a national expert on the PSA and works with jurisdictions across the country implementing the tool.
Renee Garcia, statewide pretrial program manager, New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts
Ms. Garcia oversees New Mexico’s centralized Background Investigations Unit and supports the implementation and long-term sustainability of the state’s pretrial programs, drawing on 21 years of experience within the judiciary.
Gabo Ly, supervising probation officer, Sacramento County Probation, Adult Court Pretrial Unit
Ms. Ly brings 22 years of experience with Sacramento’s probation department , including six years in pretrial. In her role as a quality assurance officer, she reviews completed assessments for accuracy and consistency and ensures that cases are appropriately routed to pre-arraignment or arraignment review.
Stewart Grace, supervising probation officer, Sacramento County Probation, Adult Court Pretrial Unit
Mr. Grace brings 23 years of experience with Sacramento’s probation department, including six years in pretrial experience. He is currently an instructor for the CPOC Pretrial Academy and has helped guide Sacramento County’s current pretrial program from inception as a pilot into a robust functioning program.
Carrie Hennen, pretrial services director, Thurston County, Washington
Ms. Hennen oversees pretrial screening and supervision, diversion programs, and a drop-in resource center. Thurston County, an APPR Research Action Site, implemented the PSA in late 2023 and has an established quality assurance process.
Application Process
If you are interested in attending the training session on April 16, please complete the application. You must apply by April 9.
APPR will make selection decisions immediately after the registration deadline. Confirmed participants will receive additional information about the training, including how to attend the online session and access related resources.
Please direct any questions to Samuel Steed, operations assistant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, at ssteed@cepp.com.