Chasing Bail - Fault Lines

The number of Americans incarcerated before standing trial in a court of law-currently more than 750,000 inmates-has never been higher. On any given day, nearly 70 percent of the national jail population is awaiting judgement, locked up without being convicted of a crime.
The U.S. is one of only two countries in the world that allows private companies to bail people out of jail at a profit. Bail bond companies earn $2 billion annually by getting people out for a fee. The majority of the accused remain behind bars because they cannot afford to pay for their release.
Proponents of commercial bail say it provides a public service at zero cost to taxpayers. But what are the ultimate costs of the pay-for-freedom pretrial process?
Fault Lines travels to California, Maryland and New York to examine how money determines the fates of those awaiting trial by the criminal justice system.
For more Fault Lines: america.aljazeera.com/watch/sh...

[@garyclarke8099]

Fault lines such a great news series

[@blmetal65]

Commercialization of Justice. Freedom can be bought and sold for a profit. Welcome to USA.

[@kariz4733]

Why is the man with a cane have a ring on his finger?

[@nickpowers5817]

Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be an American I'm moving to Canada.

[@sniper6081]

Wait. Hold up. You're asserting that the reason this problem exists is because of bail bond companies? What about the drug prohibition that has clogged the court system with victimless crime cases, or the police unions pushing for harsher treatment of suspect before their trial, or the private prison companies that promote higher and higher rates of bail? Of all the things you could have reported on that contribute to this issue you focus on something so small in the grand scheme of things that it really doesn't mean a whole lot. You did not do this any justice.

[@stupidsquirrel12]

+sniper6081 I was watching this and thinking the SAME exact thing. I like watching Fault Lines as well as Al Jazeera because they're pretty fair and unbiased. But sometimes I gotta wonder if they're covering the right aspect of certain stories.

[@gregrr1147]

+sniper6081 I think you have a valid point sir, the companies only thrive because of the legal environment that our system produces. However, I think Al Jazeera doesn't place the blame for the problems squarely on the private bonding industry - they do mention quite a bit how the system is designed to let poor people sit in jail. But one can't say the bail bonding guys are not complicit in keeping the machine going.

[@cjwithey1241]

They are just shining a light on this topic that doesnt receive much attention

[@dianefitzpatrick7774]

So true, it was refreshing to hear a Judge's opinion on the subject of the poor in jail for misdemeanor charges, in our state, guilty or not you pay $$$ for the miserable treatment.

[@JustTweetAway]

Does they pay if you are in jail waiting court and the court say you have done nothing wrong?

[@sgtcrab1]

Land of the free!

[@domochoa]

It’s a good system. You could stay in jail and wait for court date or you can pay bail and get out till court date. 10% is not bad. If you stay in jail you get credit for time served when sentenced

[@KandiKlover]

Ban lobbyists

[@Servethemfast]

Rob Dick the one and only. 2012 Must have been when he ditched the jean shirt!!

[@KandiKlover]

Nobody even knows who he is though. He’s not even remotely famous.

[@azn412]

So sad but doesn't surprise me Rikers island is a fucking joke it's a god damn zoo. Ur lucky to make it out of there in one piece

[@raymondchassell4204]

You are lieing bail is 10 percent so 2500 will be 250.get your facts right

[@hilaalh7311]

Oooh Americans is this the American dream and the democracy you claim to promote in the world 😔😳 Money talks