Overcrowding in New Haven Jails

Like other counties in Connecticut, New Haven has a growing jail population. This issue is highly problematic, partly because many detainees in New Haven jails are not convicted criminals. In other words, no court has found these individuals guilty of anything, but they are behind bars because they can’t afford bail. On the other hand, many people who are flight risks and dangers to society are getting out because they have the money to post bail.

Various factors contribute to the increasing number of pretrial inmates in New Haven, CT, with bail affordability being the most significant.

At Connecticut Bail Bonds Group, we aim to help reduce overcrowding in New Haven jails with our affordable bail bond services. Learn more below about the causes of jail bloating in this county.

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The Courts Use Confinement as a Tool

Before granting a pretrial release on bail, the court must ensure that the person will return to court for their trial. Additionally, the court needs assurance that it doesn’t release someone who may potentially be a danger to society. For this reason, the court will not grant bail to a person facing a murder charge.

However, bail doesn’t guarantee that a defendant will walk the line and return to court, even if they risk bail forfeiture. As a result, New Haven County’s courts may overuse confinement to ensure that defendants don’t try to flee and avoid prosecution. By setting high bail amounts, the courts often confine low-risk defendants who can’t afford to post bail.

Bail Affordability

The unaffordability of bail is one of the most significant contributors to jail overcrowding in New Haven County.

After an arrest, whether wrongful or not, someone’s ability to get out of jail and go home depends on their access to bail money. Consequently, some believe that the bail system drives wealth-based imprisonment.

Consider the following scenario:

The police have probable cause to arrest Person A and charge them with a crime. However, A doesn’t have an income and cannot afford bail. After remaining in jail for eight months, Person A’s criminal trial starts. The court finds A not guilty and dismisses the case.

People who suffer financial hardships may find themselves in the above scenario. In addition to causing jail crowding, bail practices may violate the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive bail amounts.

Repeat Offenses

Ex-offenders often struggle to connect with society and find work. Imprisonment may result in lacking skills and family support, increasing their risk of becoming repeat offenders.

Because a criminal history is one of the factors the court considers during bail hearings, these repeat offenders typically face relatively high bail amounts. As a result, they remain in jail while awaiting trial, contributing to jail overcrowding.

Crimes to Prevent Homelessness

Homeless people often commit misdemeanors to get into jail and out of the streets. This sad situation is more common during harsh winter weather when confinement is a small price to pay for a warm cell, a bed, and food.

The Importance of Bail Bond Services in Reducing Overcrowding

At Connecticut Bail Bonds Group, our New Haven bail bondsmen offer responsive solutions to help reduce jail overcrowding. Our bail bonds provide an affordable alternative to posting cash bonds, making it possible for more people to get out of jail while they await trial.

Our bail bond services are available at a fee that is a small percentage of the bail amount. In exchange, we front the remainder of the bail amount, making it easier for those with financial difficulties to get out of jail.

By ensuring that defendants return on all hearing dates, we provide the courts with an alternative to confinement. The result is less overcrowding in New Haven jails.

Our bail bond agents also help to enforce courts’ bail conditions, reducing the risks of rearrests and new criminal charges. In other words, someone using our bail bond services is less likely to end up back in jail while awaiting trial.

Need Bail Bonds in Connecticut?

Do you have a loved one in jail facing a criminal charge? At Connecticut Bail Bonds, we have a New Haven bail bondsman available 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. If you want to get someone out of jail immediately without posting a full cash bond, we can help. Our team will also help you navigate the bail bond process and answer all your questions.