ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ Comment on the Introduction of the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act, a Federal Bail Reform Bill
WASHINGTON β U.S. Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) today introduced the Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act of 2017. The legislation would take steps toward reforming the injustices of the money bail system that incarcerates people who have not been convicted of a crime because of their inability to pay.
Kanya Bennett, legislative counsel at the ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅, had the following reaction:
βToo many people in this country must spend weeks, months, or even years in jail waiting for trial only because they canβt afford bail. Even though these people are innocent in the eyes of the law, theyβre punished, deprived of their freedom with disastrous consequences for their families and their lives.
βThe Pretrial Integrity and Safety Act would be a strong step toward countering the injustices of the money bail system and building safer communities, stronger families, and a more fair criminal justice system. While this bill isnβt perfect, its reforms would be progress towards fixing the systematic problems that have led to mass incarceration. The ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅ will continue to work to eliminate all forms of preventive detention as well as all unnecessary bail conditions.β
For more information about money bail, see βSelling Off Our Freedom,β a joint report by Color of Change and the ΊμΠΣΚΣΖ΅βs Campaign for Smart Justice: