Pretrial Release Initiative
The Pretrial Release Initiative exists to promote public safety, ensure the just and equitable treatment of individuals charged with criminal offenses, and work to prevent future criminal activity.
How it Works
Financially underserved populations who cannot afford their bail are often required to await their court date from jail where they are separated from family, employment, support systems, and resources. Those who are impacted are legally presumed innocent, but they may lose their job, their ability to provide for their family, and they risk a substantially harsher sentence — all because they could not afford to pay their bond.
The Pretrial Release Initiative provides an alternative to lengthy and unnecessary jail stays. Rather than extended detention, Oklahoma County judges have the option to release eligible individuals on a conditional bond, which provides supportive services and a means to reconnect with their families, communities, and employment. No money is exchanged during the process, and all services are free for program participants.
Diversion Services
The Pretrial Release Initiative is a diversion program aimed at preventing future involvement with the criminal legal system. TEEM case managers are trained to help participants identify and address obstacles in their lives as a means to move forward and reach their personal and professional goals.
Access to Resources
Participants in the Pretrial Release Initiative have direct access to education opportunities, employment assistance, courtroom advocacy, connection with mental health and substance abuse treatment services, direct services, and personalized case management to help navigate the judicial process.
The Beginning
The Pretrial Release Initiative is unique to the Oklahoma Public Defender’s Office and TEEM, and is one of the first of its kind in assisting low-income and homeless individuals awaiting trial.
Initially established in 2017 by federal public defender Francie Ekwerekwu, the Pretrial Release Initiative is a collective effort between the Arnall Family Foundation, the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Authority, Oklahoma County judges, and the Public Defender’s Office intended to build equity in the criminal legal system.
In 2024, TEEM’s Pretrial Release Initiative expanded significantly after being contracted to provide pretrial services for all of Oklahoma County, broadening its reach and impact across the community. TEEM began using the Public Safety Assessment to screen those booked into the jail on eligible charges in July of 2025 and is set to be accredited by the National Association of Pretrial Services by the summer of 2026.
By the Numbers
2,063
Number of individuals supervised by the Pretrial Release Initiative last year.
4x
Financially underserved populations are 4 times more likely to receive a harsher sentence than those who can afford their bail
2%
Only 2% of TEEM Pretrial participants were sentenced to prison time after being released on TEEM bond.
50%
More than half of the people held in pretrial detention due to unaffordable bail are parents of minor children.
“TEEM helped me bond out. I completed my classes, and I got my daughter back. I’m working and taking care of her. TEEM helped me the whole way.”
— Steven, TEEM Pretrial Participant