University/Organization
Department of Peace Studies
Chapman University Orange, California
Title
Jail, Bail, and Pretrial Policies: The Politics of Modern Bail Reform Efforts in the Fight Against Mass Incarceration
Synopsis
Although current activists and change-makers have rallied together to tackle the notorious system of mass incarceration within the United States, one critical pillar of this system has been often overlooked: the practice of commercial bail in pretrial policies. These policies directly impact jail population and growth, and the discriminatory practice of bail has resulted in an increase of people being held in pretrial detention simply due to their lack of means to pay their bail amount. The existing literature agrees that unjust pretrial policies must be addressed in any future efforts to change the system of mass incarceration.