In Central Virginia , the Richmond Community Bail Fund (RCBF) is on a mission to dismantle the unjust cash bail system and its detrimental impact on individuals in the pretrial stage of the legal process .
The nonprofit not only posts bail for those in need but also actively works toward the abolition of cash bail, pretrial detention, and supervision .
With a focus on addressing the immediate and collateral consequences of incarceration, RCBF plays a crucial role in challenging the disparities within the criminal justice system.
One of the glaring issues RCBF addresses is the high percentage of legally innocent pretrial detainees in local jails.
Statistics reveal that 60% of all local jail inmates fall into this category, highlighting a systemic problem that the bail fund seeks to rectify.
Nationally, there is a 92% guilty disposition rate for defendants held on bail, emphasizing the urgency of bail reform efforts.
Surprisingly, those who post bail experience a 50% guilty disposition rate, raising questions about the fairness and equity of the current system.