Bold and meaningful bail reform in New York State is long overdue, and we urge you to take action before the end of this legislative session.

Two thirds of people in New York jails have not been convicted of a crime. That means that over 16,000 New Yorkers are in jail every day awaiting trial. The vast majority of them are there simply because they cannot afford to pay bail. This senseless pre-trial jailing unfairly discriminates against people in poverty, disrupts families, damages our state’s workforce, and comes at a huge cost to taxpayers. The practice is morally wrong, economically and socially harmful, and ultimately undermines public safety.

Bail reform is in the best interest of the individuals, families, and businesses that make up our communities. We agree with the 71% of New Yorkers who recognize that bold reforms are necessary to safely reduce the number of New Yorkers in jail. We urge you to act without further delay.

Sincerely,