Public officials in Ramsey County have started a new pilot program that will release certain alleged offenders from jail after they have been arrested but before they have been officially charged with a crime.
According to details from the pilot program, “eligible individuals will be released immediately after booking, and assigned a community support navigator.” Both the offense an individual is booked on, and a risk evaluation, will determine if someone is considered eligible for release from jail under the program.
Once released from jail, the alleged offender will await potential criminal charges.
The “pre-charge release” pilot program is a joint venture involving the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, the Saint Paul City Attorney’s Office, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ramsey County Public Defender.
Documents obtained from the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office indicate that gross misdemeanors such as cannabis possession crimes, prostitution, false information to police, possession of stolen property, gambling, and other crimes will be on the list of offenses that are considered “eligible” for release under the pilot program.
Meanwhile, felonies such as theft, possession of shoplifting gear, criminal damage to property, and offering counterfeit currency are also on the list of “eligible” offenses.
An individual booked on one of the “eligible” offenses, and subsequently released under the new program, would likely avoid roughly 1-2 days in jail while they await a charging decision. If that individual ends up getting charged with a crime, then the circumstances of their release would be controlled by the judge presiding over their case, a spokesperson with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office confirmed.
To qualify for the “pre-charge release” program, individuals must meet specific criteria such as having no active warrants. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office informed Alpha News that only “nonviolent arrest offenses” qualify under the program, and repeat offenders will not be eligible.
Additionally, the county attorney’s office said the partner organizations that are participating in this pilot program believe “it will improve public safety, otherwise we would not do it.”
The jail release program “went live” on August 1.
Support and monitoring
Under the pilot program, alleged offenders who are released from jail will be “provided navigation services that help them successfully appear in court if needed and access any supportive services they may need.”
Roots Wellness, a nonprofit organization, will provide “community navigators” to assist participants in accessing resources such as emergency housing, food programs, mental health or medical services, and drug treatment.
The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office says the program’s outcomes will be closely monitored, with regular meetings involving law enforcement and other stakeholders to review each case. Between 5 and 20 individuals are expected to be released under the “pre-charge release” program every month.
The program is funded for four years ($250,000 per year) through money Ramsey County received from the Minnesota Legislature.
Bail reform work group
According to a memorandum of understanding obtained by Alpha News, the “pre-charge release” program is part of a broader “Ramsey County Bail Reform Work Group” consisting of “justice system stakeholders, nonprofit groups, and community members dedicated to improving our pretrial system by prioritizing community well-being and safety and reducing reliance on cash bail.”
The work group’s goals include “transitioning from a system based on wealth to one based on risk,” “reducing the reliance on the cash bail system,” “ensuring no one is held because of an inability to pay,” “reducing the jail population,” and “increasing court appearance rate.”
“The pre-charge release process is one method the BRWG has developed to achieve some of these goals by providing that people who meet certain eligibility criteria will be released
immediately after booking and provided navigation services that help them successfully appear in court if needed and access any supportive services they may need,” the document states.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
