Journal of Student Research 2018

66 Journal Student Research occupancy numbers would be a great benefit for the state government of Alabama, however the possibility of constituent dissatisfaction makes this policy option weigh negatively.

Action 3:

The third policy option would be the adoption of a new Alabama bail assessment strategy that will create informed bail. Currently, bail settings are given regarding the severity of the crime, however this disproportionately keeps citizens of low socioeconomic status locked in jail until trial (“The Necessity,” 1978). The Pretrial Justice Initiative suggests assessing defendant’s “criminal history, employment, pending charges, socioeconomic status, residence, substance abuse, and failure to appear history” before setting bail (“Bail in America,” n.d.). Because everything about the defendant is scrutinized when setting bail, the socioeconomic class should rightfully be noted as well in order to more justly set the bail amount, as well as any of the above listed attributes. Having a more mindful assessment strategy will minimize the excessive bail setting and exercise more appropriate bail settings. This policy option would be of no cost to the Alabama’s government, which is a strong positive attribute, however this action does not consider the root of the Alabama justice system: disproportionate bail settings for violent and non-violent crimes. Comparison of Alternatives, Recommendation, & Implementation Each policy action attempts to resolve the structural violence with Alabama’s bail bond industry however each option also has drawbacks. The following table shows both the positive and negative aspects of each action plan.

Positive

Negative

Action 1 - No expense to Alabama’s government - Bail settings to fit the violence level of crimes - Dangerous persons more likely remain in jails until trial - Safety to Alabama citizens Action 2 - Citizens would receive the right to representation in unjust situations - Cost effective with lower jail occupancy Action 3 - No expense to Alabama’s government - Minimizes excessive bail settings - Provide more accessible bail settings

- Bail bond industry loses money

- Funding needed by Alabama’s government - Constituent backlash to government entitlement - Does not address the issue setting bail to the severity of crimes