Take
Action
Toolkit
Whether you’re new to the issue or already involved, this guide will walk you through concrete actions you can take to push for bail reform – from posting on social media to meeting with your legislators. Every voice matters. The most important thing is to act – and to invite others to join you. With all of us working together, we can overhaul this system.
How to Talk About It
Key facts, narratives, and talking points you can use in your advocacy.
Words matter. How we talk about cash bail and pretrial injustice shapes public opinion, influences policy decisions, and drives the broader movement to end unjust pretrial incarceration. Whether you’re posting online or just having a conversation with friends, the talking points below frame why we must end cash bail – and what a better system can look like.
Cash bail puts a price tag on freedom before trial. While our justice system is built on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” cash bail flips that to “guilty until proven wealthy.”
Cash bail creates a two-tiered system of justice. If you can pay, you go home. If you can’t, you sit in jail. That’s not justice – it’s a price tag on freedom.
Cash bail causes real harm. Just a few days in jail can cost someone their job, housing, or even custody of their children. It also makes it harder to prepare a legal defense.
Taxpayers spend $14 billion each year to incarcerate legally innocent people. When factoring in the impact of pretrial detention on families, communities, and society, the true economic cost of this crisis has been estimated to approach $140 billion annually.
Bail reform creates a safer, smarter system. Bail reform replaces the flawed logic of cash bail with a system focused on safety and fairness. It empowers judges to make individual decisions based on whether someone poses a risk to public safety or is unlikely to return to court.
The cash bail system doesn’t measure safety – it measures wealth. People with money can buy their freedom, while those without are forced to stay behind bars, even when they pose no risk.
The cost of bail is out of reach for many: Many Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency expense, and the average bail amount is $10,000 for a felony accusation.
This broken cash bail system undermines both conservative and liberal values, resulting in strong arguments for bail reform from both Republicans and Democrats.
America is one of two countries in the world that permits a for-profit bail bond industry, which thrives when people are assigned cash bail that they can’t afford.
Bail reform works. Places that have made commonsense changes to cash bail have restored the presumption of innocence and reduced jail overcrowding – without increasing crime. In fact, in many reformed jurisdictions – both blue and red – crime rates have stayed the same or even declined following reform.
Engage Your Representatives
Scripts, templates, and best practices for calling, emailing, and visiting your elected officials.
Meeting with your elected officials is one of the most effective ways to push for change, and face-to-face conversations – whether in a formal meeting or at a casual coffee hour – can shape how lawmakers think about and prioritize bail reform. When it comes to ending cash bail, your voice can help reframe the conversation about public safety, fairness, and justice. Remember: elected officials are accountable to you.
Call or Email Your Elected Officials
Fight for bail reform by calling or emailing your state and federal representatives and urging them to end cash bail – and encourage your community to do the same. Consider organizing a phone bank to make calls together using the sample call script below.
Sample Call Script
Hi, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY]. I am calling to urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to support ending the use of cash bail in [YOUR STATE]. Cash bail punishes poverty and destabilizes families, with no proven benefit to public safety. We need a justice system that prioritizes safety, fairness, and support – not wealth. Please support meaningful bail reform. Thank you.
Sample Email Template
Subject: We Need Your Support on Bail Reform
Dear [Senator/Representative NAME],
My name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY]. I am writing for your support in ending the use of cash bail in our state.
Our justice system should be based on fairness and safety – not how much money someone has. Cash bail keeps people in jail simply because they can’t afford to pay, while others walk free because they can. This system fuels inequality, disrupts lives, and does not improve public safety.
One day in jail pretrial can mean the loss of homes, jobs, and even children, while a person is still legally innocent. We can achieve true public safety by investing in housing, education, mental health, and employment.
Please support legislation that replaces cash bail with a safer, fairer system rooted in due process and risk, not wealth.
Thank you for your support,
[NAME & CONTACT INFORMATION]
Meet with Your Elected Officials
An in-person visit is a persuasive way to tell your representatives why bail reform matters and urge them to take action. Start by identifying your State Senator and Representative and locating their nearest office. Call to request a meeting, and when a staffer answers, introduce yourself as a constituent and explain that you’d like to discuss bail reform.
- Review this toolkit’s messaging and select your strongest talking points.
- Think of personal or local examples to bring the issue home.
- Research your legislator’s background and interests – what might make them care about this issue? Both Republicans and Democrats agree the current system is broken; consider talking points that speak to their political party’s orientation.
- Set a clear goal: Are you trying to understand their viewpoint, seek support, or ask for a specific action?
- Be prompt and patient – officials have busy, often unpredictable schedules.
- Keep it short and focused. You may have just 10 minutes, so make every moment count.
- Don’t guess. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. Offer to follow up.
- Stay respectful, even if you disagree. Listen carefully and clarify your position when needed.
- Leave your contact information and any relevant materials.
- Send a thank you note, regardless of where they stand. It’s a chance to reinforce your message and provide any promised follow‐up information.
Mobilize the Media
Guides to writing op-eds and letters to the editor to help shape public opinion about bail reform.
A. Op-Eds
An op-ed is a compelling way to share your perspective and help shape public understanding of bail reform. Op-eds can educate readers, counter misinformation, highlight lived experience, and influence decision-makers. They are typically 600-800 words and published by newspapers, online outlets, or advocacy newsletters or blogs.
Use this toolkit’s messaging and refer to the Op-Ed Project’s guidelines to craft and submit your piece to a local outlet. You don’t need to be a professional writer to publish one. In fact, community voices and personal perspectives often resonate most. Below, we’ve included excerpts from a published op-ed, with tips that break down how and why they work.
Anatomy of a Strong Op-Ed
Start with a strong hook.
A strong title or first line grabs attention and signals urgency. Below, the framing immediately identifies a harm and a target audience. Short, sharp, and specific is best.
“Georgia’s new cash bail law seeks to punish the poor – and protestors, too.”
Use real-life examples.
Personal stories humanize policy issues. They make abstract problems feel immediate and relatable. Including lived experience can shift how readers understand the stakes.
“Take The Bail Project’s client, Sherry, an Atlanta-based 61-year-old. She was incarcerated pretrial for nearly a month because she couldn’t afford $11,200 in bail. It’s been two years, and she has not been indicted for a crime.”
Debunk misconceptions with facts.
Counter false narratives with clear data. Choose one to two powerful stats to back up your argument – ideally ones that surprise or contradict conventional wisdom.
“The Bail Project’s clients have returned to 93% of their court dates – a statistic that lays waste to the argument that cash bail is necessary to ensure appearance.”
End with a clear call to action.
Don’t just describe the problem – tell the reader what needs to happen. State your policy demand clearly and explain why it matters now.
“To truly uphold the presumption of innocence and ensure equal justice under the law, we must end cash bail. This is the critical next step toward dismantling a two-tiered system of justice.”
Pro Tips for Writing Your Op-Ed
Make your title pop. Think punchy, timely, and specific. Avoid vague titles like “Reforming Bail.” Try: “Cash bail is Criminalizing Poverty in My State” or “I Couldn’t Afford My Freedom.”
Use the first paragraph to answer: Why now? Tie your topic to a recent news story, law, or trend.
Anchor your opinion in lived experience or data – ideally both.
Stick to one core argument. Don’t try to say everything. Instead, say one thing well.
End with a clear takeaway or demand. Think: What do I want readers or lawmakers to do or understand?
Examples of Op-Eds
Find op-eds written by The Bail Project below.
B. Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor (LTEs) are short opinion pieces – typically 150-250 words – that respond to recent news coverage or highlight an underreported issue. They are one of the quickest, most accessible ways to influence public discourse and they’re more likely to be published than op-eds.
You don’t need to start from scratch. The same storytelling strategies and message tips that apply to writing an op-ed also apply here – just in a shorter format. See above for advice on crafting a strong hook, incorporating lived experience, and ending with a clear call to action. You can also refer to Research America’s LTE guidelines to craft your letter.
What’s Different About LTEs?
While many of the techniques are the same, here are a few key differences to keep in mind when writing an LTE:
Length
LTEs are shorter – most outlets limit them to 250 words or fewer.
Timing
They’re best when responding to an article – ideally within 2-3 days of publication.
Framing
A direct reference to the article you’re responding to – including the title, author, and publication date – is often required.
Tone
LTEs can be more controversial or reactive. Unlike op-eds, they often focus on just one point or perspective.
Quick LTE Tips
Use your first sentence to connect your letter to a specific article or recent news story.
Make one point – don’t try to cover too much in a short space.
Reinforce your core message with a personal story or one compelling fact.
End with a strong sentence that shows what you want readers or decisionmakers to understand or do.
Include your name, city, and contact information for verification (most outlets require this).
Examples of LTEs
Read letters to the editor written by The Bail Project.
Donate to the Movement
A simple and direct way to help.
Help create a system that works for all while securing freedom for thousands of Americans every year. Your gift will directly support those trapped by the cash bail system right now – people like Wydell, who was wrongfully accused of stealing his own car, and Shelley, who was forced to choose between groceries and shelter. Donate today.
Use Social Media
Sample posts, hashtags, and more for engaging online.
Social media is one of the most accessible advocacy tools. With just a few clicks, you can raise awareness and build momentum within your own personal networks – and even create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond your social circles.
1. Follow Us
The content we share centers impacted people, exposes injustice, and calls for systemic change.
2. Amplify Our Reach
Help us shift the narrative. Amplifying our posts is a simple yet powerful way to stand in solidarity.
3. Post About Bail Reform
Copy and paste these posts to advocate for bail reform:
4. Use Hashtags
Use these hashtags to join the national conversation:
5. Tag Your Elected Officials
Tagging your elected officials on social media is an easy way to include them in bail reform conversations.