Since 2000, the annual number of people convicted of crimes in the United States has stayed steady, but the average number of people in jail each year has shot up. How can that be? The answer lies in the bail system— which isn't doing what it was intended to do. Camilo Ramirez details how the cash bail system disproportionally hurts people in low-income communities and communities of color. [Directed by Patrick Smith, narrated by Addison Anderson]. 

Camilo Ramirez: The problem with the U.S. bail system

The problem with the U.S. bail system

The U.S. bail system's failure to honor presumption of innocence disproportionately harms low-income communities of color.

In D.C., abolishing cash bail led to 94% of defendants returning for court dates, challenging the necessity of cash bail.

Pretrial incarceration costs taxpayers $14 billion annually, undermining the promise of equal justice regardless of wealth.