Dr. Alyssa Leblond

My current research examines a Bail Supervision Program (BSP) delivered by a non-governmental organization in Ontario, Canada. I conducted interviews, ethnographic observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal the BSP plays an important support role for accused and the court; supporting release from custody, offering guidance in navigating the criminal legal process, and being a resource and information hub. Despite this, the findings also demonstrate the BSP is not well positioned in a supervisory role and the conditions it imposes, including weekly reporting and mandated treatment, create a cycle of criminalization. I conclude that in practice, the BSP provides the courts with a means—prior to conviction— to assess accused persons’ ability to self-govern, and this information is shared with the court to be considered in determining the case outcome.