The Judicial Council of California, on Aug. 12, awarded some $1.6 million to Santa Barbara County Superior Court to operate a Pretrial Pilot Program for the period of Aug. 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021.

In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, the award will expand the county’s current Pretrial Program, which includes conducting assessments and monitoring those released into the community while pending court proceedings.

The project aims to increase the safe and efficient release of arrestees before trial, use of the least restrictive monitoring practices possible while protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances, and validate and expand the use of risk assessment tools.

“The Santa Barbara Superior Court is pleased to have been selected to receive this award,” said Superior Court Presiding Judge Michael Carrozzo. “This will greatly enhance our ability to assess and identify those individuals that may be appropriate for pretrial release while continuing to preserve the safety of our community.

“We are also pleased to partner with the Probation Department as they are not only experienced in the implementation of evidence-based practices and interventions, but are uniquely positioned to administer both the initial assessment and provide community supervision.”

The County Superior Courts awarded by the Judicial Council of California are Santa Barbara, Alameda, Calaveras, Kings, Los Angeles, Modoc, Napa, Nevada-Sierra, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Sonoma, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura and Yuba.

For more information about the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, visit www.sbprobation.org.

— Karyn Milligan for Santa Barbara County Probation Department.