This innovative program provided seven rural pretrial practitioners with specialized training, resources, and mentoring to address the unique challenges of advancing pretrial practices in rural jurisdictions.
Monthly virtual training sessions were led by APPR staff and other pretrial experts, and each fellow was paired with a seasoned rural pretrial professional who served as a mentor throughout the program. The nine-month fellowship culminated with participants attending the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies Annual Conference and Training Institute in September 2024.
Based on the success of the program in 2024, the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice awarded the Center for Effective Public Policy an Encouraging Innovations grant to replicate the fellowship for an additional two cohorts. Unfortunately, in April 2025, the Department of Justice terminated this grant; this action was part of a broader, sweeping rollback affecting over 350 organizations working to advance justice, equity, and public safety nationwide.
This mentorship has been invaluable, providing me with insights and practical knowledge I would not have gained otherwise. With my mentor’s support, I have been able to navigate the complexities of the pretrial system, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes that benefit our community.
Kat Zaddam
2024 Rural Pretrial Fellow and Pretrial Coordinator, Minnehaha County Pretrial Services, South Dakota
Accomplishments
The fellows demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation during the 9-month fellowship. Highlights of their accomplishments include the following:
- Successfully engaged key stakeholders to foster collaboration and advance pretrial initiatives tailored to their communities
- Conducted system mapping and data analyses to identify gaps and implement best practices
- Organized and led educational sessions and trainings to increase awareness and understanding of pretrial practices in rural areas among local and state stakeholders
- Enhanced stakeholder engagement through innovative strategies such as newsletters, resource inventories, and outreach efforts
- Implemented or refined pretrial processes, including jail population reviews and court appearance tracking
- Secured leadership roles, including a fellow’s appointment to the Indiana Supreme Court’s State Pretrial Committee, showcasing their growing influence in shaping pretrial policy
- Spearheaded projects to improve stakeholder collaboration, operational efficiency, and access to supportive services for justice-involved individuals
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