The majority of incarcerated women in jails are mothers with children under 18, like Andrea, a single-mother of six from Louisville. Most incarcerated women haven't been convicted of a crime,…
Shannon SoperNovember 23, 2022
Gulf War Veteran Couldn’t Afford $1,000 Bail – In Jail, His PTSD Became Worse
Christopher, who struggles with addiction and mental illness brought on by combat experience, struggled to find mental health care in jail.
Melissa EtehadNovember 11, 2022
Upending Democracy: Texas Man Arrested at the Ballot Box
Hervis was arrested and held on $100k bail for allegedly voting while on parole.
Melissa EtehadNovember 8, 2022
Low-income defendants in rural America are impacted in unique ways, yet their experiences are often overlooked. We talked to people throughout Kentucky — where incarceration rates are higher than the…
Shannon SoperOctober 21, 2022
Lisa Was Incarcerated for a Single Missed Court Date
Lisa is from the Hopi Tribe. At age 46, she was on track to graduate college when an unexpected charge landed her in jail.
Melissa EtehadOctober 13, 2022
Punished for Illness: Mental Health Crisis Leads to Jail Time
Jaylen’s mental health crisis led to his arrest. Cash bail made his situation worse. Fortunately, his grandmother intervened.
Melissa EtehadOctober 3, 2022
Falsely Accused: How Cash Bail Upended Nicole’s Life
Nicole was in the midst of buying a house, completing an internship, and raising her children when she learned the state of Oklahoma was building a criminal case against her.
Melissa EtehadSeptember 22, 2022
High Bail Nearly Cost Sandra Custody of Her Three Children
Family separation is just one of the many devastating consequences of the cash bail system.
Melissa EtehadSeptember 21, 2022
Hoop Dreams: Bruce Used Basketball to Heal a Hurt Community
To channel Louisville’s pain and unrest after Breonna Taylor’s murder, activist Bruce created an after school basketball program for kids. He was arrested for protesting.
Melissa EtehadSeptember 9, 2022
Robert’s Dream of Travel Reaches a Roadblock
After giving a ride to a friend, Robert's dream of world travel faces a sudden, dire setback, testing his hope and freedom.
Melissa EtehadFebruary 22, 2022
