Like all federal agencies, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia (PSA) is required under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to disclose records requested in writing by any person.

However, agencies may withhold information pursuant to nine exemptions and three exclusions contained in the statute. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies and does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records. Each agency is responsible for meeting its FOIA responsibilities for its own records.

Each PSA component is responsible for processing FOIA requests for the records it maintains. If you plan to make a FOIA request to the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, you should review our agency's FOIA Electronic Reading Room which contains information already available to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FOIA?

The FOIA, or Freedom of Information Act, is a Federal law that provides for public access to agency records. The FOIA is located in Section 552 of Title 5 of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. 552). DC PSA'S FOIA regulations will be located at Parts 800-899 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 8 (28 C.F.R., Chapter 8, Parts 800-899).

Any agency records in PSA's possession or control are subject to the FOIA. The requested records will be provided in full, unless one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions applies. For example, PSA may withhold confidential business information that is contained within an agency record. The nine exemptions are all described in detail in the text of the FOIA.

Must I submit a FOIA request to receive agency records from PSA?

See PSA’s Electronic Reading Room and the CSOSA Guide for FOIA Requestors. You may want to submit a FOIA request from PSA's Office of General Counsel: Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency Attn: Renee Barley, FOIA Officer 633 Indiana Avenue, NW Room 1254 Washington, DC 20004-2902

What should a FOIA request contain?

You must submit your request in writing. Please include your name, organization (if any), address, and phone number. Also, you must reasonably describe the records you seek – the more detail you give us, the more quickly we will be able to respond. You may even specify the format (e.g., computer disk) in which you would like the information released. We will make a reasonable effort to provide the information to you in your requested format. Finally, you must state your willingness to pay fees (you may state the maximum amount you are willing to pay) or request a waiver of fees (see below).

What are the fees for a FOIA request?

In many cases, FOIA requesters are not charged any fees by CSOSA. The FOIA, however, permits agencies to recover part of the cost incurred in complying with FOIA requests. Specifically, CSOSA may recover the following costs: Search Time: $14 per quarter hour Review Time: $14 per quarter hour Photocopying: 25¢ per page Please note that CSOSA will provide records to educational institutions, non-commercial scientific institutions, and representatives of the news media for the cost of reproduction alone. Further, no fee will be charged to such entities for the costs of photocopying the first 100 pages of documents. Commercial use requesters will be charged all costs listed above. Requesters that are not otherwise described in this paragraph will be charged for search and duplication, but will not be charged for the first two hours of search time or the costs of photocopying the first 100 pages of documents. Please note that CSOSA is authorized to recover search and review costs even if no responsive records are found or, after review, there is no disclosure of records. A waiver or reduction of fees may be authorized in cases where disclosure of information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

Does PSA have an on-site FOIA reading room?

The FOIA requires agencies to make certain records available for public inspection and copying in an agency "reading room." Since PSA rarely receives requests to review FOIA records onsite, the agency does not maintain a permanent reading room. Upon reasonable notice, however, PSA will make space available for reading room purposes at its office in Washington, D.C.

Does PSA have an electronic reading room?

Yes. PSA's Electronic Reading Room contains documents specifically identified for inclusion by the Electronic FOIA Amendments of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-231. Other documents of general interest will also be included. Documents will be added on an ongoing basis as they are created or identified.

How do I submit a FOIA request to PSA?

You may mail your FOIA request to: Renee Barley, FOIA Officer Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency 633 Indiana Avenue, NW Room 1254 Washington, DC 20004-2902

I still have FOIA questions concerning PSA.

If this information has not answered all of your FOIA questions, please contact CSOSA’s FOIA Officer, Renee Barley, at (202) 220-5355.