Jail Ministry Low Cash Bail Program

NYS Consumer Bail Information: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/bail

We believe that no individual in our community should be detained in jail simply because they do not have as much money as someone else. We see this as justice driven by economics, and the result is that poor people are held in jail until their case is resolved while those with financial means are able to post bail and return to their jobs, homes, and families.

There is also clear statistical data that demonstrates individuals who are free while going through their case have a much higher chance of not going to prison because they have the time and resources to work on their case. As well, simply wearing regular clothing in court and not a jail jumpsuit significantly impacts the results.

Our Bail Expediter Program was founded in 1996 to assist economically disadvantaged individuals with low cash bail in cooperation with the Onondaga County and Justice Center Administrations. From 1996 to 2009, Jail Ministry bailed out over 7,000 individuals using the Bail Expediter Program saving the County millions of tax dollars by not having to house these people in the jail (the average cost of housing an individual in the Justice Center per day is approximately $300).

In 2007 the Bail Program was eliminated due to mandatory, non-essential services County budget cuts. The Program was resurrected in 2012 by Jail Ministry independently and continues to bail out individuals who would otherwise remain in jail with non-violent, misdemeanor charges.

The Program serves individuals with low cash bails of $2,000 or less. Loved ones are strongly encouraged to provide one half of the bail, but every case is reviewed on individual circumstances.

If you would like more information on the Bail Program, please contact Jail Ministry.

If you’d like to contribute to Jail Ministry’s ability to bail out more individuals, please donate to our fund.

Thank you!