COVID-19 BAIL FUND AND CALL TO ACTION TO STATE’S ATTORNEY AND BPD

BALT is operating a Bail Fund to help individuals who are sitting in jail during this public health emergency.

Individuals are currently locked in Baltimore City’s dangerous and unsanitary jail, and now are at an extremely heightened risk with the spread of COVID-19. State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby expressly agreed to take measures to mitigate the risks to those behind bars, but has not implemented all of the policies. Today, Mosby agreed to stop prosecuting drug possession, prostitution and other crimes. While this is a necessary step in reducing the risks to those behind bars, so much more needs to be done. 

BALT urges the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office to implement the principles outlined in the Joint Statement from Elected Prosecutors on COVID-19.  The statement, co-signed by Marilyn Mosby, addresses the rights and needs of those in custody. The statement calls for the following (not an inclusive list, for the full list of principles, please visit this link): 

  • Release all individuals who are being detained solely because they can’t afford cash bail, unless they pose a serious risk to public safety.

  • Identify and release the following people immediately, unless doing so would pose a serious risk to the physical safety of the community:

    • Individuals who are elderly;

    • Populations that the CDC has classified as vulnerable (those with asthma, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes);

    • People in local jails who are within 6 months of completing their sentence; and, 

    • People incarcerated due to technical violations of probation and parole.

  • Avoid the use of widespread lock-downs or solitary confinement as a containment measure and implement more targeted quarantine to control the spread of infection.

As noted in the joint statement, even after COVID-19 subsides, the State's Attorney Office should adopt these policies permanently. 

In addition to the list above, BALT calls on BPD to stop low level arrests. Continuing these arrests will only exacerbate crowding in jails, especially since the courts are closed. This is being done in other cities to manage jail crowding. (And as we know, criminalization only achieves higher arrest rates.)

To immediately address this public health emergency, BALT will be raising funds to post bail for individuals that are currently in Baltimore City jail.  To donate to our bail fund, please visit our website.