This training will cover the same material that was presented at the March 2021 and April 2021 RCM training sessions. It is being offered again to meet the demand. If you previously attended this training, please do not re-register, so that there is space for others to attend.
Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research is pleased to offer a free virtual training about the development and use of a Release Conditions Matrix (RCM). The course will be held over two afternoon sessions, on Tuesday, November 16, and Wednesday, November 17, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET both days.
Complete the registration application
About the Training
The Public Safety Assessment (PSA) and the RCM work hand in hand. The PSA is used to assess people’s likelihood of appearing in court and remaining arrest-free during the pretrial period. The RCM is used to match PSA scores to pretrial supports that can help people succeed during the pretrial phase. It can help jurisdictions target limited resources to those who will benefit most from them while also maximizing pretrial release, court appearance, and public safety. The RCM is developed locally through a process that should involve both justice system and community stakeholders.
In this training, we will explain how the RCM complements PSA implementation. We will review in detail the components of the RCM as well as the principles and information that should guide a jurisdiction in developing it. Participants will then work in teams to create their own matrix.
Space in this training is limited. Prospective participants must complete a training registration application and be selected to attend.
Learning Objectives
Participants can expect the following by the end of the training:
- Be familiar with the legal principles and best practices associated with using the RCM.
- Understand how the RCM is used to inform pretrial decisions.
- Understand how data, empirical research, and other information help jurisdictions develop their RCM.
- Feel confident facilitating the development of a localized RCM.
- Be familiar with APPR resources, including advancingpretrial.org and the APPR Community.
Training Faculty
The trainers for this session are people who have many years of experience with pretrial justice, the PSA, and the RCM.
Matt Alsdorf, associate director at the Center for Effective Public Policy
Mr. Alsdorf is a co-project director of APPR. He previously served as the Vice President of Criminal Justice at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. For APPR, Mr. Alsdorf provides assistance to jurisdictions and oversees the development of pretrial resources.
Alison Shames, director at the Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Shames is a co-project director of APPR. As a consultant for the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Alison developed the PSA guides and resources available on the APPR website. For APPR, Ms. Shames provides assistance to jurisdictions and oversees the Learning Sites program.
Dr. Kelvin L. Banks, senior manager at the Center for Effective Public Policy
Dr. Banks has over 20 years of justice system experience, with almost the last 10 years in pretrial justice. He was previously the director for Harris County Pretrial Services and the Third Circuit Court of Michigan’s Pretrial Services.
Application Process
If you are interested in attending the training sessions on November 16 and November 17, please complete the training registration application by Friday, October 22.
Participation in this training event is limited, and priority consideration will go to pretrial practitioners (including judicial officers, prosecutors, defense counsel, and pretrial services staff) and community stakeholders. Space is also available for national technical assistance providers.
APPR will make selection decisions immediately after the registration deadline. Confirmed participants will receive additional information about the training, including how to attend the sessions and access related resources.
Please direct any questions to Keilah Joyner, program assistant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, at kjoyner@cepp.com.