On Sunday, HBO host John Oliver asked the question: Should a non-violent offender be sent to Rikers Island?
Apparently so, if he or she cannot afford to pay bail, a part of the U.S. justice system that got the Oliver treatment on this week’s episode of “Last Week Tonight.”
He started with the fact that the rising costs of bail has disproportionately affected the poor: a 2013 analysis of New Jersey’s prison population showed that nearly 40 percent of the inmates were there because of failure to put up bail money.
“So, what happens if you can’t make bail?” Oliver.
“Much like a game of ‘Fuck, Marry, Kill’ with Crosby, Stills and Nash, there are a few terrible scenarios,” he said.
Watch the clip, courtesy below:
One thing I wanted Oliver to touch on because I’m curious about the background, but he didn’t – Recently I saw a story about someone arrested for something in New Jersey and the article noted in passing that bail was set at $5000 and he was given the option to pay ten percent, which he took and was freed pending a court date.
Which got me thinking – what’s up with that? If the courts think $5000 is the appropriate deposit amount to get a person back in court, why would they accept ten percent? Why not set bail at $500? Presumably because then the guy could pay $50 to a bail bondsman, so it’s good if this is refundable and not surrendered, but it seems like an odd game to play.
Anyone know more about the practice?
I never got my bail money back when I showed up for court in NH. they fund the state with it.
Ok…who wants to call that number for Jesus Christ Bail Bonds…I’m very tempted to see if its legit
They seem to be for real; located in Baltimore. Legit may be another matter.
http://bailoutbailoutbailout.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bishop-Barry-Jesus-Christ-Bail-Bonds/1465270423725860
That alone should indicate this is a serious problem