[Peace] Bail Burden Keeps US Jails Stuffed With Inmates

[Kimberlie Kranich]

Heard a story this evening on All Things Considered on NPR on WILL-AM 580 that was packed with information, statistics, and humanness about how 2/3 of the nation's inmates are nonviolent offenders and the only reason they are in jail is because they cannot pay their bail, sometimes as little as $50.

Used to be that people were released on their own recognizance.  When that was the case, people showed up for their court date.  Now, companies that provide bail money make a lot of money, according to the report.

The story is 20 minutes long.  If interested, you can listen to it or read it at the link below.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122725771

It is the first in a three-part report. Might be an angle to look at locally.

~Kimberlie



      
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