Keeping Families Together
Our mission is to end the unjust criminalization of poverty and the practice of pretrial detention in Arkansas. Pretrial detention and cash bail punish poor people, especially people from marginalized communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc)
Those that are free to fight their case outside of jail have better case outcomes and their lives are able to continue with their jobs, back with their families, and strengthen their lives. Our neighbors are resilient and we know that the resilience increases as we support each other as a community.
The Impact of Cash Bail
Financial Burden
In Arkansas, the use of commercial bail bonds forces families—especially low-income ones—to pay nonrefundable fees, typically around 10% of the bail amount, often leaving them to choose between securing a loved one's release and meeting essential needs like rent, food, or medical expenses.
Pretrial Detention's Toll
A few days in pretrial detention can put employment, health, and housing in jeopardy. In a study by the Prison Policy Initiative, nearly half of respondents reported suffering a ‘material loss’ from detention, including missed work (40%), loss of jobs (18%), and lost property (18%) - all without being convicted.
Racial Disparities
In Washington County, Black residents make up just 3.6%
of the overall population. Despite this, they are disproportionately represented in the county jail, where approximately 18% of those detained on any given day are Black, according to data from the Public Safety Lab.
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Economic Disparities
Over the past 12 months, 32% of individuals booked into jail reported earning an annual income of less than $10,000. This amount is equivalent to the median bail set for felony charges, highlighting the financial burden many face to secure their release (Prison Policy Initiative).
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Get Started
Click the button below to access our intake form. We post 100% cash bail as a revolving fund that returns to the fund at the completion of the individuals court to start the process again and get another person out of jail. By providing us with essential information, you’ll help AJRC assess your situation and determine how we can best assist you or your loved one. Your journey toward support starts here.
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Please note: We are not a bail bonds agency and are unable to post partial bonds or collateral. Please include the full bail amount in the intake form, not 10% of the total bond.