PPI Memo: Smaller new jail, more just future within our control
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PPI Memo: Smaller new jail, more just future within our control *
Before any big decision, it’s wise to get a second opinion. That’s why we asked the Prison Policy Initiative to take a look at the Needs Assessment report prepared by CGL, which County Commissioners are relying on to build a new jail that can fit 1,000 of us, even though our jail’s population hasn’t been over 800 in years, and we are primarily filling our jail with people who are waiting for their day in court, and who could be better served in our community.
Creating a more just and humane pretrial system in Lancaster County.
Lancaster has a bail problem.
Since we started watching in 2021, anywhere from 62-70% of the people behind bars at Lancaster County Prison are not serving sentences, they are being detained pretrial. In real numbers, that’s over 500 people per day behind bars in our local jail who haven’t been convicted of anything. Many are there simply because they cannot afford their bail.
Cash bail and pretrial incarceration are costly practices that perpetuate the inequalities of our criminal system. Cash bail and pretrial incarceration lead to worse outcomes for those detained - both in their cases and in their lives - and for our community.
Cash bail affects our community and our neighbors. And it’s funded by our tax dollars. We believe in our collective responsibility to demand a change and work together to create a more just, equitable, and humane pretrial system in Lancaster.
From the President's Desk
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From the President's Desk . . .
Have you seen the news?
In April 2022, the ACLU of PA filed a federal class action law suit against Lancaster County over our unconstitutional bail practices.
The lawsuit claims our magisterial district judges (MDJs) illegally set bail by not giving arrested people an opportunity to be heard and by not considering their ability to pay.
We are also being sued over our unconstitutional and systemic failure to provide attorneys at initial bail hearings.
Will you sign our petition?
As the County solidifies plans to build a new jail, the urgency to examine our system is growing.
In partnership with other community organizations, we have identified four action-items we believe would significantly lower our jail population and result in a safer, more just and economically robust Lancaster.
Please read, sign and share our petition.
