This is a program that uses an interdisciplinary team to address factors contributing to clients’ contact with the court.
The program is rated Promising.
Participants experienced a reduction in average sentence length and were more likely to be released on recognizance, compared with those who received traditional legal services. These differences were statistically significant.
However, there was no statistically significant impact on conviction or on future arrest rates.
In 2020 the Bronx Defenders Holistic Defense Model received a final rating of No Effects based on a review of one study. In 2021, an appeal was submitted regarding the outcomes selected for the initial review.
As a result of the appeal, different outcomes of interest were selected.
A re-review of the same study was conducted and resulted in a new final rating of Promising.