Building a Legal and Evidence-Based Pretrial Services Program Within a Probation Department: Tips for Long Term Success

SESSION INFO

Monday, August 19, 2019
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Session Type: Workshop

Building a high functioning pretrial services program is a complex endeavor that requires focus to implement practices which are legal and evidence-based and are known to increase the primary pretrial justice outcomes of public safety and court appearance of the released defendant population. Developing a high functioning pretrial services program within an established post-conviction structure can be difficult, and at times it may seem that it just doesn’t make sense! This workshop suggests approaches to establishing a high functioning pretrial services program and how to maintain the separate functions with integrity. The participants will be introduced to a framework and strategies to address institutional barriers and will also be provided advice on how to make small changes that can have a big impact on staff satisfaction and pretrial justice outcomes. Performance data will be presented on one county’s experience navigating this complex process.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Mr. Troy Hatfield
Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department


Troy Hatfield has been employed as the Deputy Chief Probation Officer in Monroe County, Indiana for the past 10 years and has been working as a probation officer for over 20 years. He oversees the pretrial division, adult and juvenile probation divisions, the court alcohol and drug program, and continuous quality improvement for the Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department. In addition to participating in several state-wide community supervision initiatives, Troy is currently the vice president of the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana and a past chair of the Probation Officers Advisory Board to the Judicial Conference of Indiana. Troy earned a Master of Science in Criminology from Indiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Indiana University. He has worked in the past as an adjunct faculty member for Ivy Tech Community College teaching courses in juvenile justice, criminology, and substance use.