As the spread of the Delta variant increases and taxes our regional jail systems, we are keeping an eye out and are concerned that we do not have the capacity to meet a mass bailout in the coming months. In March, there was a significant outbreak in the King County Jail that led to over 50 positive cases (read more from KUOW here). In May, the Prison Policy Initiative reported that just over half of incarcerated people nationwide are vaccinated; in Washington state, that figure is about 45%. Learn more about the initial effects of the pandemic on the jails in our region on our website here.
We’ve been increasing our capacity since last spring, and we need to be ready to do so again.
In 2020, NCBF posted 684 bails, which was a 200% increase from 2019. Thanks to your support, we’re continuing to grow that number in 2021. Since January, we’ve posted over 750 bails in Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. That’s more than double the pace of last year.
Help us further increase capacity in light of the Delta variant by making a donation today.
We believe in the presumption of innocence and work to end pre-trial detention. We seek to disrupt the criminal legal system that targets and punishes Black and Indigenous people and people of color. We believe that impacted communities are in the best position to determine what their community members need to be free. We support community organizations to create alternatives to pre-trial detention. We seek to reduce harm without propping up the system.
We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, EIN 83-1096468. We currently operate in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties in Washington State. Donations to NCBF are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
