The cash bail bond system doesn’t keep people accused of crimes in jail; it keeps poor people accused of crimes in jail.
Those who can afford to pay, get to go home. Most often those jailed for lack of money to pay the bail bond are people of color. While awaiting trial – often for months – they lose jobs and housing, and their relationships with family are strained or broken.
A working group at Community United Church of Christ is leading our work to reform the current cash bail bond system as one of our economic justice and racial justice initiatives. In 2019 the congregation passed a resolution charging the group with this work. Our first step has been to work within our denomination, the United Church of Christ. We took the resolution to the Southern Conference (UCC) Annual Gathering where they approved it unanimously. Now we are assisting the Southern Conference in bringing the resolution to the United Church of Christ at their 2021 General Synod.
If this work sounds like you, get in touch. We welcome your ideas and your talents.