Fault Lines

Chasing bail

Fault Lines on the US bail bond industry & investigates how money affects who goes free & who stays in jail before trial

The number of Americans incarcerated before standing trial in a court of law – over 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 ever having been convicted of a crime.

The US 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.

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Fault Lines   can be seen on Al Jazeera English each week at the following times GMT: Tuesday: 2230; Wednesday: 0930; Thursday: 0330; Friday: 1630. 

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