JOURNAL ARTICLE

Does pre-charge bail prevent harm? A natural experiment.

  • Published In: Policing: A Journal of Policy & Practice, 2024, v. 18. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Whitten, Dan 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the impact of pre-charge bail (PCB) on crime-related harm, focusing on a 2017 bail law reform as a natural experiment. Using two comparable samples from the Metropolitan Police Service (n=746), the study found no statistically significant difference in harm caused by suspects under investigation before and after the reform, despite an 85.4% reduction in the use of bail. These findings challenge the common public policy assumption that PCB inherently prevents harm and provide an initial empirical basis for further research on PCB.

Additional Information

  • Source:Policing: A Journal of Policy & Practice. 2024/01, Vol. 18, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Law
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:1752-4512
  • DOI:10.1093/police/paae111
  • Accession Number:184072962
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Policing: A Journal of Policy & Practice is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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