Where We Go From Here, by Bernie Sanders: on Crime
Bernie Sanders:
Bail reform: 65% of county & city inmates are "unconvicted"
In the middle of 2016, there were 740,700 inmates in city and county jails. Over 60 percent of these inmates were "unconvicted." If they had not been convicted of a crime, why were they in jail?
Good question. Answer: Because a majority of them could not afford bail and were forced to remain imprisoned as they awaited trial. Nationally, nearly half of felony defendants cannot make bail, and they stay in jail until their case is heard.
Today, we have a two-tier criminal justice system. If you are wealthy or middle class, you post bail and prepare for your trial at home.
If you are poor and cannot afford the $500 or $1000 for bail, you are forced to remain in jail while you await your trial.
Source: Where We Go From Here, by Bernie Sanders, p.195
May 4, 2018
Bernie Sanders:
End mass incarceration & reform criminal justice
[At the 2016 convention preparation], we were victorious in including amendments in the platform that made it the policy of the Democratic Party to fight for:- Abolishing the death penalty, ending mass incarceration, and enacting major criminal
justice reforms;
- Establishing a path toward the legalization of marijuana;
- Ending disastrous deportation raids, banning private prisons and detention centers, and passing comprehensive immigration reform.
Source: Where We Go From Here, by B. Sanders, p.16-7, on 2016 DNC
Jul 9, 2016
Democratic Party:
End mass incarceration & reform criminal justice
[At the 2016 convention preparation], we were victorious in including amendments in the platform that made it the policy of the Democratic Party to fight for:- Abolishing the death penalty, ending mass incarceration, and enacting major criminal
justice reforms;
- Establishing a path toward the legalization of marijuana;
- Ending disastrous deportation raids, banning private prisons and detention centers, and passing comprehensive immigration reform.
Source: Where We Go From Here, by B. Sanders, p.16-7, on 2016 DNC
Jul 9, 2016
Page last updated: Apr 10, 2019