Reforming pretrial justice to reduce incarceration and advance equity

Communities can deliver public safety and justice without relying on county jails as a first response to every social challenge. Vera’s Beyond Jails initiative works to reduce jail populations and promote alternatives that keep people safe, healthy, and connected to their communities.

Local jails are the front door to mass incarceration. In 2024, nearly 660,000 people were detained in jails on any given day, accounting for more than one-third of incarcerated people in the United States. In 2022, there were more than 7 million admissions to jails. More than four out of five people detained in local jails are legally innocent—they have not been convicted and are simply awaiting their days in court.

Although the national rate of jail incarceration fell by 20 percent from 2010 to 2024, the geographic patterns of incarceration have shifted. In spring 2024, jail incarceration rates in rural counties were 2.1 times higher than in urban counties, and racial disparities in jail incarceration are worsening overall, especially in rural and small/midsize metropolitan areas.

Unnecessary jail incarceration, especially pretrial detention, does not create safety. It destabilizes people’s health and their economic and social stability. Even a 24-hour jail stay increases the likelihood of rearrest. Pretrial detention also does not improve court appearance rates.

Transforming local justice through smarter policies and community investment

Vera’s Beyond Jails initiative is transforming how communities think about safety, accountability, and justice. We work to reduce jail populations by partnering with local and state governments, advocates, and community leaders to reform harmful systems and invest in alternatives that promote true public safety. We do this by:

• Ending the injustice of money bail. Money bail allows people with financial means to buy their freedom while others remain incarcerated simply because they can’t pay. We advocate for eliminating wealth-based detention and building fairer pretrial systems. Research proves money bail doesn’t improve court attendance or prevent future arrest—it only deepens inequality.
• Decriminalizing poverty. Too many jail bookings stem from poverty—not danger. From minor charges like trespassing and low-level drug possession to administrative violations like driving with a suspended license, jails are overused to address unmet economic and health needs. We focus on eliminating the use of jail for these charges and building more effective responses.
• Reducing excessive supervision and monitoring. Probation and electronic monitoring are often billed as alternatives to incarceration—but they can act as tripwires back to jail. We push to transform supervision to focus on support, not punishment. By investing in services that connect people to resources and reward progress, we help reduce jail returns and build stronger communities.

Driving change through research, policy, and partnerships

The Beyond Jails initiative is driving impact in states across the country, including California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In each jurisdiction, we work at both the county and state levels to catalyze change.

Our approach blends rigorous research, policy innovation, and strategic advocacy. At the county level, we partner with community groups and government leaders to pilot and scale effective alternatives to jail. At the state level, we work with coalition partners to shape legislation and advocate for reforms that advance equity and reduce incarceration.

A safer future without overreliance on jails

By shifting resources away from jails and toward community-based solutions, we can create a justice system that truly uplifts and protects everyone. Together, we can replace punishment with possibility and build a future rooted in equity, safety, and dignity.

* Sources: Jacob Kang-Brown and Jess Zhang, People in Jail and Prison in 2024 (New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2024); Jess Zhang, Jacob Kang-Brown, and Ari Kotler, People on Electronic Monitoring (New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2024); and Christopher T. Lowenkamp, The Hidden Costs of Pretrial Detention Revisited (Houston, TX; Arnold Ventures, 2022).

Contact Us

To reach the Beyond Jails Initiative, please email beyondjailsinitiative@vera.org.