Dr. Melissa Neal

‘Bail Fail’ Argues that Bail Impedes Justice in US Court Cases

Twenty percent of Americans prisoners are in jail because they simply cannot make bail. As they await their formal charges—often for nonviolent crimes—and official hearing dates, the prisoners cannot return to work and support their families.

Dr. Melissa Neal, a senior research associate at the Justice Policy Institute, described these failures and more in the new report “Bail Fail.”

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Dr. Neal to discuss the report’s findings and more: