Reuniting Families Bail Fund Facing Additional Barriers in Montco

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Image via Jose F. Moreno, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Reuniting Families Bail Fund has managed to raise $100,000 since its inception but has run into several barriers that have slowed down its progress.

Despite managing to raise $100,000 since its inception in November 2019, the Reuniting Families Bail Fund has had slow progress in fulfilling its mission in Montgomery County, writes Samantha Melamed for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Heather Lewis is the driving force behind the first community bail fund that serves the Philadelphia suburbs.

The fund is rooted in research that shows that even a short stay in jail increases the likelihood of a conviction and a longer sentence, along with unemployment and future criminal activity.

The fund’s guidelines are to cover bails for nonviolent offenses of maximum $5,000.

The barriers Lewis encountered include local rules that state the fund has to pay the entire bail amount if the defendant is re-arrested or misses court. She was also denied access to interview potential clients to ensure they have somewhere to stay if she posts bail.

Meanwhile, a county spokesperson said the county is committed to working with the bail fund.

“The Montgomery County Administration and Courts strongly supports any efforts to reduce the number of people being held in jail because they are unable to post bail,” said the spokesperson.

Read more about the Reuniting Families Bail Fund at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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