NCJ Number
28748
Date Published
1973
Length
37 pages
Annotation
A PHILADELPHIA STUDY EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF COURT BAIL PROGRAMS ON THE CITY'S DETENTION POPULATION AND TO PROVIDE IMPETUS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN EFFECTING NECESSARY CHANGE IN THE BAIL SYSTEM.
Abstract
THIS STUDY OF THREE CITY DETENTION FACILITIES FOUND THAT DESPITE THE INITIATION OF A RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE PROGRAM AND A TEN PERCENT CASH BAIL PROGRAM, DETENTION POPULATIONS HAD INCREASED. EVIDENCE ALSO INDICATED THAT THESE COURT PROGRAMS HAD HELPED WHITES MORE THAN BLACKS. IMMEDIATE EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE DETENTION POPULATION ARE RECOMMENDED. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE PROGRAM BE EXPANDED WITH BROADER GUIDELINES AND BETTER CRITERIA TO FIT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE POOR, AND THAT MONEY WHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED FOR BAIL. A COMMUNITY-BASED BAIL SPONSOR AGENCY IS PROPOSED, WHICH WOULD SEEK OUT BAIL SPONSORS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE DETAINED.