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Public Safety Assessment

Release Conditions Matrix

When used responsibly and with fidelity, the PSA should promote pretrial release decisions that help people succeed during the pretrial phase.

How the PSA Works PSA Research

Promoting Success

The PSA and the Release Conditions Matrix 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 PSA provides a score; it doesn’t make recommendations about whether to release or detain a person pretrial.

The Release Conditions Matrix is used to assist a person by matching their PSA score to the level of pretrial release and services and supports (if any) that can help that person succeed. The matrix is developed locally, and it should be informed by a collaborative group that includes both policymakers and community members.

Listen to a description of the legal principles around pretrial release conditions.

Pretrial Research Summaries

Our research summaries can help you examine the effectiveness of common pretrial practices and conditions of release as you work to create your release conditions matrix.

Features of the Release Conditions Matrix

The Release Conditions Matrix has two sections: a grid and a table.

The grid matches PSA scores for failure to appear (FTA) and new criminal arrest (NCA) to presumptive levels of pretrial release.

  • Scores are expressed as a likelihood of success, not failure.
  • The matrix is used to determine release levels. It should never include detention.

The table details the conditions associated with each level of pretrial release.

  • Conditions should be consistent with federal, state, and local pretrial laws.
  • Conditions should be proven by research to improve pretrial court appearance and law-abiding behavior. Examples include:
    • Court date notifications
    • Pretrial monitoring for those who are least likely to succeed
    • (Financial conditions of release have not been shown to be effective.)
  • Conditions should draw upon government or community resources aimed at helping people succeed while on pretrial release.
This table is for illustrative purposes only. Jurisdictions create their own localized table.

The release levels and conditions included in a Release Conditions Matrix are guidelines. Final pretrial decisions always rest with judicial officers.

The Guide to the Release Conditions Matrix offers jurisdictions detailed guidance on how to create their own matrix, including samples and a blank template. Sign up with APPR to access these and other resources.