Whatcom County review finds PSA over‑predicts risk, shows weak accuracy for some outcomes
A prospective validation of the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) in Whatcom County (Jan. 2019–Mar. 2025, 3,551 defendants) found moderate accuracy for failure‑to‑appear predictions but weaker accuracy and evidence of group bias for new criminal actions and violent outcomes; the analyst recommended recalibration and redesign of the decision matrix.
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Whatcom County’s pretrial processes work group heard on Monday that the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) used by the superior court is over‑predicting risk for the county’s pretrial population and shows limited accuracy for some outcomes.
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