A look at how bail, fines, and fees in the criminal justice system impact poor communities in New Orleans
The New Orleans criminal justice system, like many other local systems across the country, operates significantly on funding generated from the people cycling through it—from bail and associated fees before trial, to fines and fees levied after conviction. These practices come with hidden costs to defendants—the majority of whom are poor and black— ...
official court transcripts October 1961-June 1962
The Manhattan Bail Project was Vera’s first initiative and showed that many people accused of committing a crime can be relied on to appear in court and do not have to post bail or be held until trial. Read the transcripts from arraignment hearings at which New York City judges considered the recommendations Vera made in the early days of the Manh ...
Improving Vocational Training in Prison and Opening Employment Pathways for Formerly Incarcerated New Yorkers
Securing stable employment is a critical factor in reducing recidivism among formerly incarcerated people. Every year, around 10,000 people are released from prison in New York, entering a labor market filled with barriers, restrictions, and stigma for those with conviction histories. Recognizing this fact, New York State offers a variety of progra ...