Video Transcript
It’s 4 a.m. and I’m gonna bail someone out. I work for The Bail Project, and our mission is to combat mass incarceration by ending the cash bail system, creating a more just, equitable, and humane pretrial system.
This is the more, you know, exciting time that you get to bail someone out and then text their family and say, “Hey, they’re getting out.” We don’t ever get notified of when they’re released. It can take up to 24 hours, unfortunately. We do try to make sure that they have a ride home from jail.
The importance of bailing out people for free is that people get to fight their case from a place of freedom. They can return to their families,their jobs, their housing, instead of waiting months and months on unfair cash bail because they cannot afford it.
I love what I do, and I believe so deeply in our mission. We genuinely want to help people by getting them released and getting them connected to support in the community. We have one client in particular where he graduated from his inpatient rehab. He went into intensive outpatient and got connected to sober living. And then I have a client that also got out and is doing well just working hard to save up money
just in case she has to do any time, depending on what happens with her case, so success really looks different for everybody.
JAIL STAFF: Fill out that form there to your right, please. Take it back.
LORENA: Oh, take it back? Okay.
JAIL STAFF: Put your I.D. in there for me, please.
LORENA: All right. Will do.
JAIL STAFF: Were you here earlier?
LORENA: Yeah. Last time I came here, you said, the door changes at five. So either come at four or come at six.
JAIL STAFF: Oh, you’re the bond-
LORENA: The Bail Project. Yeah.
JAIL STAFF: Just one?
LORENA: Yeah, just one today. Yeah. And a cashier’s check.
JAIL STAFF: You’re a smart woman. Someone listens to me.
LORENA: Yeah, exactly. Try to make it as smooth as possible.
JAIL STAFF: Yeah, exactly. Okay, so 5000 on the cashier’s check, correct?
LORENA: Correct. Yeah. You want me to put the check in here?
JAIL STAFF: Yes, please.
LORENA: All right. Will do.
JAIL STAFF: It’s easy, and I tell people that’s the easiest way to do it. Go get a cashier’s check.
LORENA: Yeah.
JAIL STAFF: All right.
LORENA: All right.
JAIL STAFF: Any questions for me, dear?
LORENA: No, that’s all. Thank you so much for all your help.
JAIL STAFF: I appreciate you.
My name is Lorena, and I am not a bail bondsman.
What Drives Lorena to Bail People Out at 4 A.M.?
Lorena’s day begins at 4 A.M., driving through empty streets to a local jail to bail someone out. This routine may seem unconventional to many, but for Lorena, it is a vital part of her role. As a Bail Disruptor, Lorena works to challenge the injustices of cash bail by providing free bail assistance to individuals who cannot afford it.
As part of The Bail Project, Lorena is one of the many Bail Disruptors and Client Advocates across the country helping to fulfill a mission to reform the cash bail system. Bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals and people of color, keeping many in jail for days, months, and even years because they can’t afford their freedom. Every time Lorena posts bail, it is completely free to the individual.
”They can return to their families, their jobs, their housing, instead of waiting months on unfair cash bail because they can’t afford it.
Lorena
Lorena believes deeply in The Bail Project’s mission.
Watch the video to hear Lorena explain her work as a Bail Disruptor, from early morning bailouts to connecting clients with support in the community.
How is The Bail Project Different from Bail Bondsmen?
The video highlights Lorena’s interaction with jail staff, where she explains, “My name is Lorena, and I am not a bail bondsman.” She is a Bail Disruptor – but what does that mean?
Bail Bondsmen:
- Require individuals to pay a nonrefundable fee (usually 10% of the bail amount).
- Operate for profit, often putting financial strain on families.
- Use bounty hunters and additional fees if the person fails to appear in court.
Bail Disruptors:
- Provide bail at no cost to the individual or their family.
- Work to eliminate financial barriers to pretrial freedom.
- Advocate for a fairer justice system that isn’t tied to wealth.
While the bail bond industry keeps people trapped in cycles of debt and incarceration, we at The Bail Project are breaking the cycle.
When you support The Bail Project, you’re helping people like Lorena create a fairer pretrial system.
Your support ensures that individuals can fight their cases without the perils of jail and allows us to continue advocating for a justice system rooted in fairness and equality. Donate today.
Thank you for reading and watching. As you can see, we don’t stop at bailing people out. Our issue awareness and media work is essential to achieving our vision of changing the pretrial system. This work is sustained by the support of viewers like you. If you found value in our content, please consider sharing with your networks and becoming a donor today!
