Across the country, people are demanding a justice system rooted not in punishment, but in dignity, care, and the simple belief that freedom should never depend on a price tag. The Bail Project’s 2025 Annual Report tells the story of what that vision looks like in practice — and the relentless, hopeful movement bringing it to life every day.
This year was marked by some of the toughest political resistance to bail reform we’ve seen yet. Opponents doubled down on fear, misinformation, and efforts to expand detention. Yet at every turn, communities pushed back — and prevailed. Our clients, our supporters, and our staff showed extraordinary courage: refusing to let profit define freedom, and refusing to let injustice go unchallenged.
Inside this report, you’ll find the breadth of that impact. You’ll meet people like Wydell, Amanda, Francis, Alfredo, and Shelly — individuals whose lives were upended by unaffordable bail and who rebuilt their futures because freedom gave them the chance. You’ll see how reliable transportation kept thousands of people connected to their cases and communities. You’ll learn how we listened deeply to Tribal partners in Montana to build a more humane, culturally grounded model of pretrial justice. And you’ll see how data, research, and client stories together expose a simple truth: people return to court because they are supported — not because they are punished.
This report also highlights what it means to fight for systemic change in difficult times. In Texas, we helped secure a historic constitutional amendment protecting due process. In Florida and Oklahoma, we blocked attacks on charitable bail. Nationally, we launched research, media campaigns, and organizing efforts that shifted public debate and strengthened the movement for pretrial justice.
Through it all, one thing remained unwavering: the power of ordinary people choosing to care for one another. From bailouts to policy wins, from rides to court to coalitions spanning red, blue, and purple states — our collective action continues to reduce harm, keep families together, and illuminate a future where freedom is not for sale.
Read the full 2025 Annual Report to see how perseverance, community, and shared values are shaping a safer, fairer, more humane pretrial system — and why the movement for freedom has never been stronger.
Thank you for reading. The Bail Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is only able to provide direct services and sustain systems change work through donations from people like you. If you found value in this article, please consider supporting our work today.
