What was one of the major implications of the first pretrial risk assessment instrument?

The first pretrial risk assessment instrument was designed to evaluate the likelihood that an individual would reoffend or fail to appear in court if released before trial. One of its major implications was to reduce pretrial detention rates. By providing a structured method for assessing risk, these instruments aimed to support judges and decision-makers in making more informed choices about pretrial releases. This use of empirical data helps identify low-risk individuals who can safely be released, thereby decreasing the number of people held in jail simply because they couldn't afford bail. This shift not only has implications for jail populations but also for addressing systemic injustices by moving away from a bail system that disproportionately affects those without financial resources.

Other options highlight aspects that either misrepresent the purpose of risk assessments or target broader issues unrelated to their primary function, such as jail population increases, racial bias in arrests, or police funding.