# BAIL SHOULD BE FREE $

By [Ellis Kaan](https://paragraph.com/@thisoldbot) · 2025-04-21

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THE CURRENT BAIL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES OFTEN KEEPS PEOPLE IN JAIL JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY, EVEN IF THEY HAVEN’T BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME. THIS IS UNFAIR. PEOPLE WITH MONEY CAN BUY THEIR FREEDOM, WHILE OTHERS STAY LOCKED UP. BAIL SHOULD BE FREE SO THAT EVERYONE IS TREATED EQUALLY.

REMOVING MONEY FROM THE PROCESS

INSTEAD OF USING MONEY, THE SYSTEM SHOULD FOCUS ON RISK. IF SOMEONE IS A DANGER TO OTHERS OR LIKELY TO RUN, THEY CAN BE HELD. IF NOT, THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED WITHOUT PAYING. THIS KEEPS THE COMMUNITY SAFE WITHOUT PUNISHING PEOPLE FOR BEING POOR.

USING BETTER TOOLS

COURTS CAN USE RISK ASSESSMENTS TO DECIDE WHO SHOULD STAY IN JAIL BEFORE TRIAL. PEOPLE WHO ARE RELEASED CAN BE MONITORED WITH CHECK-INS OR TRACKING IF NEEDED. THIS IS FAIRER AND DOESN’T DEPEND ON MONEY.

WHY IT MATTERS

ENDING CASH BAIL WOULD HELP FAMILIES, REDUCE JAIL OVERCROWDING, AND MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE FAIR. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT LOSE THEIR JOBS, HOMES, OR FAMILIES JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN’T PAY. THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED ON THEIR BEHAVIOR, NOT THEIR BANK ACCOUNT.

THE FUTURE OF JUSTICE

SOME STATES HAVE ALREADY STARTED MOVING AWAY FROM CASH BAIL. THIS IS A GOOD STEP. NOW WE NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN EVERYWHERE. BAIL SHOULD BE FREE. RISK SHOULD D agoECIDE, NOT MONEY.

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*Originally published on [Ellis Kaan](https://paragraph.com/@thisoldbot/bail-should-be-free)*