Pretrial Release Initiative
Individuals who cannot afford their bail are four times more likely to receive a harsher sentence than those who can afford to bond out.
How it Works
Financially underserved populations who cannot afford their bail are often required to await their court date from jail where they are separated from family, employment, support systems, and resources. Those who are impacted are legally presumed innocent, but they may lose their job, their ability to provide for their family, and they risk a substantially harsher sentence — all because they could not afford to pay their bond.
The Pretrial Release Initiative provides an alternative to lengthy and unnecessary jail stays. Rather than extended incarceration, Oklahoma County judges have the option to release eligible individuals on a conditional “Public Defender bond,” which provides supportive services and a means to reconnect with their families, communities, and employment. No money is exchanged during the process, and all services are free for program participants.
Diversion Services
The Pretrial Release Initiative is a diversion program aimed at preventing future involvement with the criminal legal system. TEEM case managers are trained to help participants identify and address obstacles in their lives as a means to move forward and reach their personal and professional goals.
Access to Resources
Participants in the Pretrial Release Initiative have direct access to education opportunities, employment assistance, courtroom advocacy, connection with mental health and substance abuse treatment services, direct services, and personalized case management to help navigate the judicial process.
The Beginning
The Pretrial Release Initiative is unique to the Oklahoma Public Defender’s Office and TEEM, and is one of the first of its kind in assisting low-income and homeless individuals awaiting trial.
Initially established in 2017 by federal public defender Francie Ekwerekwu, the Pretrial Release Initiative is a collective effort between the Arnall Family Foundation, the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Authority, Oklahoma County judges, and the Public Defender’s Office intended to build equity in the criminal legal system.
By the Numbers
1,457
Number of individuals bonded out by the Pretrial Release Initiative since the program was founded in 2017
4x
Financially underserved populations are 4 times more likely to receive a harsher sentence than those who can afford their bail
4.6%
In its history, only 3% of TEEM Pretrial participants are ultimately sentenced to prison time after being released on TEEM bond
365
The number of children who have been reunited with a parent as a direct result of the Pretrial Release Initiative
“TEEM helped me bond out. I completed my classes, and I got my daughter back. I’m working and taking care of her. TEEM helped me the whole way.”
— Steven, TEEM Pretrial Participant