Fundamentals of Pretrial Justice - Spring 2020
Recorded On: 06/24/2020
- Registration Closed
This course is now full. If you would like early access to the next Fundamentals course please email up@pretrial.org |
May 12-Jun 23, 2020
An Online, Instructor-Led Course
The Fundamentals of Pretrial Justice is a six-week online course that incorporates self-guided learning and interaction with instructors and classmates. This course will provide an overview of pretrial justice, its legal foundations, the latest research, and policies and practices that maximize liberty, equity, safety, and court appearance. The course integrates systems and community perspectives to evaluate pretrial decision points and identify opportunities for safe, fair and equitable outcomes. You will have the opportunity to critically examine your own pretrial system through interactive exercises, as well as the opportunity to learn from fellow students engaged in pretrial system change efforts.
This course is ideal for those who play a role in pretrial system improvement, including elected officials and their staff, government and nonprofit leaders and staff working in pretrial systems, and organizers and advocates at the local and national level. This course is best suited for those who have an interest or role in influencing pretrial policy. The course assumes a basic working knowledge of the court system.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Describe the legal requirements and foundational research of pretrial justice.
- Analyze strategies to maximize pretrial liberty, equity, safety, and court appearance.
- Assess a local pretrial system and its alignment with the law and research, including a focus on equitable practices and outcomes.
- Identify next steps for pretrial system improvement in your own work.
Course Structure
Fundamentals of Pretrial Justice is a blended learning course that combines self-guided learning activities, online class discussion, and live online sessions with faculty. Live sessions meet weekly on Tuesdays from 3 - 4:30 p.m. ET.
Participants should expect to dedicate about five hours per week on assignments, readings, and live sessions.
Most course activities can be completed on your schedule, at your own pace. Full participation in the course will require access to a computer with high-speed internet, a webcam, and either computer speakers and a microphone or a phone line.
Questions? Please email up@pretrial.org
Sue Ferrere (Moderator)
Director of Impact
Contact: sue@pretrial.org
Sue Ferrere lives and works in Evergreen, Colo. As the technical assistance manager, Sue helps communities improve the outcomes and fairness of their pretrial justice systems. Before joining PJI, Sue was a criminal justice planner in Jefferson County, Colo., and was instrumental in developing the Colorado Improving Supervised Pretrial Release project, a 10-county effort that was the predecessor of the CPAT (Colorado Pretrial Assessment Tool).
Sue, who also specializes in developing coordinated justice system responses to individuals with behavioral health challenges, helped start the Jefferson County Recovery Court. In a previous life, Sue was a renewable energy scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. Sue especially enjoys the fusion of law and science necessary to transform our pretrial justice system.
John Clark (Moderator)
Senior Consultant
Pretrial Justice Institute
John Clark is a Senior Consultant for Technical Assistance at the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI). In over thirty years at PJI, John has provided technical assistance to thousands of entities around the country on implementing evidence-based pretrial justice practices. He has authored numerous articles relating to pretrial justice in such publications as: the American Bar Association’s The Improvement of the Administration of Justice series; The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice; the Journal of Court Innovation; and Judicature. He began his career in the pretrial justice field in the 1970s as a pretrial services officer in the District of Columbia. He has a master’s degree in the administration of justice from American University. He is the recipient of the Ennis J. Olgiati Award from the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies for lifetime commitment to pretrial justice.
Zaria Davis
Senior Associate, Advocacy & Community Engagement
Contact: zaria@pretrial.org
Dr. Zaria Davis began her career in social work over 20 years ago with experience in mental health and social services in various settings. She has also worked in K-12, higher education, and out-of-school time settings. Zaria served as Executive Director for a local nonprofit in Lincoln Heights, OH for two years, working to move families towards self-sufficiency. In addition, Zaria has worked with various initiatives to support higher education access for those currently and formerly incarcerated. She is passionate in her community advocacy in the areas of pre- and post-incarceration reform.
A graduate of Wilberforce University, Zaria holds a bachelor of the arts in sociology. She obtained her master of social work degree from the University of Cincinnati and doctor of social work degree from Capella University. Zaria is a participatory action researcher and believes that those who are an active part of the community are the voices that lead to change. She is a 2019 Leading with Conviction Fellow with JustLeadershipUSA, and a board member of Dress for Success Cincinnati and the Robert O'Neal Multicultural Art Center (ROMAC).
Her interests include mentoring, social justice, and coaching individuals in their life journey. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, sci fi, and the arts. Zaria continues to support reentry efforts for women returning home from incarceration and children impacted by mass incarceration.