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In 2020, people around the country took to the streets to demand an end to racism in the criminal legal system and in our country more broadly.
We won’t be able to achieve this goal until we end for-profit bail.
We won’t be able to achieve this goal until we end for-profit bail.
People end up owing thousands of dollars to the bail bond company — even if charges are later dropped or they are found not guilty.
This system is designed to be exploitative and predatory.
This system is designed to be exploitative and predatory.
Far too many people are forced to choose between paying an exorbitant cash bail or sitting in jail.
Bail bond companies hold people’s freedom hostage.
People turn to bail bond companies to help buy their freedom.
Bail bond companies hold people’s freedom hostage.
People turn to bail bond companies to help buy their freedom.
The predatory bail industry is propped up by insurance companies, a $2 billion a year industry.
And the biggest bail underwriter by far is Canada-based Fairfax Financial.
And the biggest bail underwriter by far is Canada-based Fairfax Financial.
Fairfax’s CEO, Prem Watsa, is a vocal anti-racism advocate. He co-chairs the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the @BlackNorthCA initiative.
Prem Watsa’s commitment to anti-Black racism is necessary and laudable. But it rings hollow in the face of his company’s role as the larger backer of for-profit bail bonds.
The bail bond industry is not just economically unjust. It is also deeply racist. Black people are much more likely than their white counterparts to be arrested due to racist policing and prosecution.
For example, Black and white adults use marijuana at similar rates, but a Black adult is 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession. https://www.aclu.org/report/tale-two-countries-racially-targeted-arrests-era-marijuana-reform
Once in jail, Black people are more likely to remain incarcerated while awaiting trial.
Bail amounts assigned to Black men average 35% higher than those for white men, even when controlling for the seriousness of the offense.
Bail amounts assigned to Black men average 35% higher than those for white men, even when controlling for the seriousness of the offense.
For-profit bail is a tiny part (.16%) of Fairfax’s insurance business. It could easily divest.
In the last two years, 3 of the 4 largest companies in the space have done so. Fairfax is the only company left. https://www.wsj.com/articles/criminal-justice-reforms-are-squeezing-the-bail-bond-industry-11582299332
In the last two years, 3 of the 4 largest companies in the space have done so. Fairfax is the only company left. https://www.wsj.com/articles/criminal-justice-reforms-are-squeezing-the-bail-bond-industry-11582299332
We have teamed up with @ColorOfChange to send Watsa letters asking him to divest. 40,000 of our combined members sent him personal messages asking him to do so.
His team has been noncommittal. This is unacceptable.
His team has been noncommittal. This is unacceptable.
You can learn more by reading our report.
And you can tell @BlackNorthCA that Prem Watsa’s role as a lead in the fight to end anti-Black racism rings hollow as he props up the predatory bail industry. https://www.aclu.org/report/commitments-anti-racism-ring-hollow
And you can tell @BlackNorthCA that Prem Watsa’s role as a lead in the fight to end anti-Black racism rings hollow as he props up the predatory bail industry. https://www.aclu.org/report/commitments-anti-racism-ring-hollow
