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In Washington DC, since eliminating cash bail in 1992, courts have released 94% of defendants pretrial, with systems in place to monitor and notify defendants about court dates via texts or calls. The result has been a reduction in incarceration costs—saving over $1 million daily—and a fairer, more equitable process.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite their promise, these reforms are not without controversy. Many risk assessment tools incorporate questions that could inadvertently reinforce racial biases—asking whether a person owns a home or has a cell phone, for instance. Given the stark wealth disparities affecting Black Americans, such criteria can unfairly disadvantage minorities, who are less likely to own property or have access to certain resources.