Justice Policy Institute

Some inmates in female prisons are forced to leave behind their children to the court system. Photo: ©RIA Novosti, Oleg Lastochkin.

US Prison System Fails to Address Family Issues

September 20, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture 00:15:00 0 Comments

The Justice Policy Institute is stepping up efforts in demanding prison reform for female prisoners. The institute argues that when women with family are imprisoned, children are left behind in foster care and are put through endless bureaucracy of court interventions.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Tracy Velazquez, executive director of the Justice Policy Institute, to discuss how the prison system leaves behind children in unnecessary and expensive ways.

U.S. prisons are overflowing as arrested suspects remain behind bars because they cannot afford to make bail. Photo: ©RIA Novosti, Aleksandr Kondratuk.

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

September 20, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture 00:18:00 0 Comments

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: