Ricardo Munoz: Support SB10 to save taxpayer dollars and keep communities safe

When our county has too few dollars to support important education services and increase programs like the Lift While you Lead Empowerment Project, it makes no sense that we are wasting money keeping people in jail when they haven’t been convicted of any crime. Across California, more than 60% of people in our jails are awaiting court dates, costing us $5 million a day without keeping us safe. Wealthy defendants who pose a threat to public safety but can afford to post bail can be released. Poor defendants who pose no threat to public safety remain locked up because they can’t afford to post bail. There is a better way. For a fraction of the cost of pre-trial jail time, California can provide supervision and services that help people get to court and keep communities safer, too. SB 10, a bill that would reform the broken money bail system is now before the State Assembly. This bill would save money that is currently being wasted and reserve space in our jails that are better used on violent offenders.

This story was originally published July 21, 2017 at 1:20 PM with the headline "Ricardo Munoz: Support SB10 to save taxpayer dollars and keep communities safe."