Episode 12: The Price of Cash Bond

Talking Liberties with the ACLU of Illinois

Throughout Illinois and across our country, many people are held in jail awaiting trial simply because they are unable to afford the cash bond for their release. The use of these cash bonds also increases racial disparities in the criminal system, as those detained pretrial are more likely to be convicted and receive longer sentences. In this episode, we are joined by Lavette Mayes - who was separated from her children, lost her small business, and spent 14 months in jail because she couldn't post bail - and who was featured in an ACLU animated short that illustrated her story. We are also joined by Sharlyn Grace, Executive Director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund, to discuss how we can reform this harmful system.