County-Approved Bail Program and Pretrial Services From Connections Work

Connections Work serves as the pretrial agency for Berks County and operates the Berks County Community Release (bail) Program, the county-approved bail program. For 24-hour bail assistance, call 484.260.3860. Through this program a person pays only 5% of the bail amount.

The people served are criminal defendants in Berks County. Connections Work assists with jail population management by monitoring the pretrial population and providing assessments to the court for defendants who are deemed low risk and are only incarcerated due to their inability to pay monetary bail. The Community Release Bail Program was designed to ensure that the economic circumstances of a person will not subject him or her to punishment before trial.

Pretrial Case Managers conduct post-arrest interviews and assessments of criminal defendants, then furnish the verified assessments to the judiciary, either before bail is set or at the preliminary hearing. Connections Work also provides supervised release for criminal defendants who would otherwise remain in jail until the final disposition of their case. Case managers use the results of a risk assessment to set conditions based on the risk an individual poses, to help ensure both court appearance and public safety.

Connections Work also provides personnel and support for the Berks County Treatment Courts, which include DUI, Veterans, Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Courts. It interviews and assesses most treatment court applicants and provides referrals for drug and alcohol testing and treatment. The treatment courts combine court-ordered treatment with regular interaction with the Treatment Court Judge and the team, including the Public Defender, Adult Probation Office, TASC, SAM, Inc., the District Attorney's Office, treatment providers and Connections Work.

The 24-hour bail assistance number is the only step given for reaching this program. For general questions, the organization's contact information is Connections Work, 19 N. 6th St, 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601, phone 484-260-3860; the page does not say that pretrial interviews, assessments or bail intake happen at that office.

Besides the 5% of the bail amount, the page does not say whether there are other costs, what documents to bring, what office hours are, or whether a court or attorney referral is needed, so ask when you call.

Source: connectionswork.org/pretrial-services, read September 18, 2026.

The details

Call484.260.386024 hours
Who it’s for
Connections Work also assists with jail population management by monitoring the pretrial population and providing assessments to the court for defendants who are deemed low risk and are only incarcerated due to their inability to pay monetary bail.
Area: Court Appointed Pretrial Agency for Berks County, PAPeople leaving jail or prison
Cost
Pay only 5% of the bail amount!
How to apply
Call 484.260.3860
WhereAnywhere in Berks County
CheckedChecked September 18, 2026

In Connections Work’s words

Connections Work serves as the County pretrial agency and operates the Berks County Community Release (bail) Program. Connections Work also assists County government agencies by providing personnel and support to a number of criminal justice programs.

Organization

Connections Work

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About this listing

This listing summarizes publicly available information from connectionswork.org/pretrial-services. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.

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