Source: AJ+
AJ+ has done an excellent job in this short video showing how our criminal “justice” system favors the rich over the poor. We must continue our fight to demand rights and fair treatment for all people in our criminal justice system. Here are some facts about the U.S. prison system:
- U.S. jails more people than any other country in the world. There are an estimated 2.2 million people in prison in the U.S.
- It is one of two countries that has a for-profit bail system. The other one is Philippines.
- There are an estimated 450,000 people in pretrial detention. This means they’re just waiting for trial. This includes those who are denied bail and those who cannot afford to pay it. So if you’re poor and cannot pay your bail, you will just have to wait it out in jail if the judge refuses to release you even if you’re innocent.
- You can go to a local bonds company to pay your bail but you will have to pay 10% to the bonds company. So if your bail is set to $70,000, you will have to pay $7,000 plus interest to the company. If you’re too poor, as is the case with many of those who are arrested, then you’re pretty much stuck in jail until your trial. The bonds companies are a $14 Billion industry.
See video below for more:
Bail: The High Price of FreedomWord to the wise: Don’t get arrested in the U.S. unless you’re rich AF.
Posted by AJ+ on Tuesday, January 19, 2016
