TOWARD JUSTICE FOR THE POOR - THE MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 1553
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Vera Institute of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

VERA FOUNDATION@S MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT AND THE PRETRIAL FREEDOM GIVEN BY IT TO STATISTICALLY GOOD RISK POOR PEOPLE IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THIS PAMPHLET EXPLAINS THE DILEMMA OF POOR PEOPLE, AND THE PRE-TRIAL CONFINEMENT AND EXCESSIVE BAIL AS BEING THEIR ONLY ALTERNATIVES IN THE PAST. THE MANHATTAN BAIL PROJECT GAVE INDIGENTS WITH COMMUNITY TIES, AND WHO WERE ACCUSED OF LESS SERIOUS OFFENSES, A NEW ALTERNATIVE RELEASE ON THEIR HONOR PENDING TRIAL. A POINT SYSTEM WAS DEVISED TO SUPPLEMENT THE INTERVIEW BY A LAW STUDENT, WHICH, IF IT WAS MET BY THE DEFENDANT, WAS VERIFIED. VERIFICATION RESULTED IN A RECOMMENDATION FOR PRE-TRIAL PAROLE. THE STUDY WAS COMPARED WITH A CONTROL GROUP OF TRADITIONAL BONDEES AND THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE PRE -TRIAL PAROLEES FAILED TO APPEAR FOR COURT LESS OFTEN THAN THE CONTROLS. THE REPORT SUGGESTS OTHER SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS PLUS ADOPTION OF THE INNOVATION BY OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS.