In most cases, pretrial services officers are expected to produce detailed and accurate information about a defendant scheduled to appear before a judge for a release determination with very little notice. Recent technological advances have been invaluable in managing this function. A key part of pretrial services work is to verify information provided by the defendant. Numerous electronic databases are available to assist in this information gathering. Other useful innovations are cellular phones and laptop computers which can be taken into jails to speed the collection of data from the inception point. Once data is gathered, it can be analyzed quickly through the use of software programs that apply prediction devices in analyzing whether or not a defendant should be released. Technological advances are also assisting in monitoring of defendants who have been released pending trial. Among these are electronic bracelets and onsite drug testing equipment. Other devices permit officers to perform supervisory duties while reducing the risk to their personal safety. These include cellular and mobile phones, pagers and nonlethal self-defense tools. Finally, database management systems enable pretrial services programs to store and organize the vast amounts of information they receive.