How Texas’ cash bail system and under-resourced jails can wreak havoc on women who are poor ( www.texastribune.org )

About three in every four Texans in county jails are awaiting the resolution of their cases, according to data from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the state agency that oversees local jails. That number has surpassed pre-pandemic levels and is 14% higher than in January 2017.

For women, the wait can be harder than for men. County jails, meant for short stays, commonly lack resources women need — like pregnancy care and mental health treatment. Women in county jails are also more likely to have mental health needs. And many are mothers separated from their children.

Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20240402115717/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/01/texas-jails-cash-bail/

bostonbananarama ,

I still don't understand why cash bail is necessary. If you grant bail you're saying that this person is safe to release. Cash bail doesn't stop recidivism. Without cash bail you still have the option to remand the accused to custody until trial. If showing up is the concern, in serious cases, take passports and use ankle monitors.

There's simply no need for a system that ruins lives based on economic status, especially in a system that presumes innocence.

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • news@lemmy.world
  • random
  • test
  • worldmews
  • mews
  • All magazines
    •