The Criminalization of Poverty: Bail with Alec Karakatsanis

08/04/20 • 61 min

Every day, there are hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who are in jail simply because they are too poor to buy their freedom. In this episode, DA Boudin and Rachel discuss one of the most important issues in the criminal justice reform movement: cash bail. For this discussion, they are joined by Alec Karakatsanis, the founder of Civil Rights Corps and the author of the book Usual Cruelty: The Complicity of Lawyers in the Criminal Injustice System. Alec, one of the leading bail reform lawyers in the country who successfully sued Harris County, Texas over its bail system, explains the history and practice of bail in the United States, as well as its impact on the legal system overall. Alec, DA Boudin and Rachel also explore the dangers of risk assessment tools as alternatives to bail, as well as pending bail reform litigation. DA Boudin also describes his groundbreaking policy to stop seeking cash bail in all San Francisco cases. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in criminal justice reform.

Previous Episode

Playing Ball with People’s Lives: The Three Strikes Law with Susan Champion

California’s Three Strikes Law has sent thousands of people to prison for life sentences, frequently for crimes in which no one was injured. In this episode, DA Boudin and Rachel are joined by Susan Champion of Stanford’s Three Strikes Project to break down the Three Strikes Law. They explore the history of this harmful law in California (as well as similar laws in other states); the effects of the law on California’s prison population; recent reforms Three Strikes has undergone; and the damage it continues to inflict. Susan, Rachel, and DA Boudin share stories of people they’ve encountered whose lives have been impacted by this law and explore what changes can be made to promote justice. They also discuss DA Boudin’s policy in regards to strikes and status enhancements.

Next Episode

Season 1 Finale: Overcoming Obstacles to Our Movement with DA Rachael Rollins

In the Season 1 Finale of Chasing Justice, DA Boudin and Rachel get personal with Suffolk County (Boston) DA Rachael Rollins. DA Rollins opens up about obstacles she has overcome as a person and as a progressive prosecutor. Both DAs also discuss the role of familial incarceration in their lives and in their new roles. The DAs and Rachel also talk about meeting with incarcerated people as prosecutors; the many challenges progressive DAs face in getting elected; and the role of money in elections. They also explore how to overcome institutional resistance--including from their own offices-- as well as from the courts and police institutions. It’s a candid, thoughtful, and, at times, even funny conversation about how those committed to criminal justice reform can overcome the many obstacles to success.

Chasing Justice is taking a seasonal break but we will be back soon with new episodes! We encourage you to stay in touch with us during the break. You can email us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram or facebook at chasingjusticepodcast or on twitter at @ChasingPodcast. During the seasonal break, you can also follow DA Boudin on his personal twitter/instagram at @chesaboudin and Rachel at @RachelRMarshall.