Our criminal system has a social and racial justice problem. These are issues we need to discuss, but I have yet to find the “appropriate” place to do so. Without the political will to engage in these conversations, our only option is to exercise our right to protest.

Now is the time for a collaborative effort to implement policy and programmatic changes to our current system, saving tens of millions of dollars, and in the process, keeping our neighbors and family members woven into the fabric of family and community life.

The main purpose of bail is to ensure the accused person returns to court for their hearing or trial; cash bail is meant to be posted. Innocent until proven guilty, right? In reality, most times cash bail operates to keep people behind bars.