Santa Barbara County Superior Court received a 1.6 million grant Monday from the Judicial Council of California to operate a pretrial pilot program.
The program will run from this month through June 30, 2021, according to a news release.
The money will allow the county to expand its pretrial program, which includes conducting assessments and monitoring those released into the community while pending court proceedings.
“The project aims to increase the safe and efficient release of arrestees before trial, use of the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances, and validate and expand the use of risk assessment tools,” reads the news release.
Presiding Judge Michael Carrozzo said the award will allow the courts to more easily identify those who may be appropriate for pretrial release while preserving community safety.
“We are also pleased to partner with the Probation Department as they are not only experienced in the implementation of evidence-based practices and interventions but are uniquely positioned to administer both the initial assessment and provide community supervision,” Judge Carrozzo said in a statement..
Alameda, Calaveras, Kings, Los Angeles, Modoc, Napa, Nevada-Sierra, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yuba county superior courts also received Judicial Council grants.
For more information about the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, go to www.sbprobation.org.
