Revising the Pretrial Risk Assessment (PTRA): Promising Options

The authors present key findings from a revalidation of the federal pretrial risk assessment (PTRA) to confirm its validity and explore additional factors for expanding its use in pretrial decision-making. They address the need for comprehensive research on the validity of the PTRA, given its widespread use by federal pretrial services officers to assist judicial officers in crucial release or detention decisions. The research highlights that the PTRA remains a reliable tool and identifies ways to enhance its application for officers and judges despite initial hesitancy and concerns during its implementation.