DCJS fulfills a statutory mandate by the Virginia General Assembly in the Comprehensive Community Correction Act (53.1-180) by providing alternative sentencing for local offenders for whom the court may impose a jail sentence, but who may benefit from community-based sentencing. Pretrial services fulfill a similar statutory mandate in the Pretrial Services Act (19.2-152.2) by providing services to judicial officers related to bail procedures and to provide supervision and services to defendants release on bail to DCJS. The same statues also call for the Alexandria Community Criminal Justice Board (CCJB) to oversee the community corrections and pretrial services available to the judiciary and criminal justice system for the local offender population. DCJS serves as staff to the Board. Local probation began in 1997; pretrial services began in 2001; the CCJB was created by City Ordinance in 1995. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services allocates grant funds for the operation of DCJS.

There are two parts to pretrial services: (1) to provide supervision and services to defendants released on bail to DCJS while awaiting trial, and (2) to provide background reports on newly arrested defendants to the courts to assist in release decisions at arraignments. Participants are supervised by Pretrial Officers until final disposition of the cases is made. While on pretrial supervision, defendants must abide by the conditions of release ordered by the court. These conditions may include:

• Weekly office contact with Pretrial Officer
• Random drug testing
• Regular telephone contact with the DCJS office
• Attendance of a substance abuse group
• Any other special conditions of release and report compliance to the courts. In the event of noncompliance, the defendant will be re-arrested and brought before the judge, who may order the defendant to remain in jail until trial.

Providing background reports on newly arrested defendants for the courts, which is the second part of pretrial services and includes completing investigations of the defendants to assess their likelihood of appearing for trial and their risk to public safety. The investigation is not designated to examine the circumstances of the current charge or to encourage self-incriminatory statements. Pretrial Officers conduct face-to-face interviews, perform criminal history record checks, verify information, and conduct risk assessments. In addition, the reports produce bail recommendations which are presented to the court at arraignment.

Local Probation provides short-term supervision and services for adults convicted of Class 1 or Class 2 Misdemeanors and nonviolent felony offenses. An offender maybe placed on Local Probation by the courts at the time of sentencing. Local Probation Officers supervise offenders until the court-ordered obligations are completed, usually for six months. Participants may be required to abide by the following conditions:

• Report to the DCJS office on the day of the trial or on the next work day following release from jail
• Sign Conditions of Supervision and Consent for Release of Information
• Office visits with Probation Officer
• Random drug/alcohol testing
• Home and employment verification
• Supervised payment of court costs, fines and/or restitution
• Perform Community Service
• Any other special conditions imposed by the court or DCJS

Participants may also be ordered into any of the following:

• Substance Abuse Education
• Substance Abuse Treatment/Counseling
• Shoplifters' Program
• Anger Management Classes
• Batterers Intervention Classes
• Mental Health evaluation and any necessary treatment.

Participants' progress is reported to the courts, eliminating the need for a return court date for successful completions. Noncompliant participants are returned to court for the judge's decision on imposition of jail sentences.