Massachusetts Bail Fund

The Massachusetts Bail Fund pays up to $500 bail so that low-income people can stay free while they work towards resolving their case, allowing individuals, families, and communities to stay productive, together, and stable.

Background

Geographic Scope: Currently accepts referrals from Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties in Massachusetts, with plans for expansion to other Massachusetts counties.

Focus Areas:

• Assist low-income and poor residents to meet bail
• Address inequities in the bail system
• Connect bail fund recipients with community services
• Research the inequities of the bail system
• Collect data on case outcomes for those who post bail versus those who do not
• Advocate for bail system reforms
• Community education and awareness building

Eligibility

• Low-income and poor residents of eligible counties
• Must be represented by court-appointed counsel
• Charged with misdemeanors and non-violent crimes
• Assessment based on community ties and history of court compliance

Award Details

• Amount: Up to $500 per case
• Model: Modeled after the highly successful Bronx Freedom Fund (began 2007)
• Process: Steering Committee accepts referrals for eligible candidates and decides to post bail based on availability of funds
• Return: Upon completion of court case, bail money is returned to the fund for use in other cases
• Support Services: Clients are referred to community services for additional support and are accompanied to scheduled court dates, medical appointments, and treatment program intakes

Contact Information

• Address: 2161 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
• Phone: 617-651-BAIL (2245)
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Visit their website for more information

Background/Rationale

Research suggests that people held during the pretrial period are more likely to be convicted and receive harsher sentences than those released on bail. Throughout Massachusetts, many poor men and women remain in jail because they cannot afford bail—even when as low as $100. Jailing a defendant before conviction costs the community approximately $125 per day. Accused individuals stand to lose jobs, housing, custody of children, and access to mental health or substance abuse treatment. The Bail Fund provides community-based support that is far less expensive than incarceration and eliminates unnecessary pretrial detention.

Application Process

For Court-Appointed Attorneys (Referrals):

1. Court-appointed legal counsel must refer eligible clients to the Massachusetts Bail Fund
2. Email referrals and inquiries to: [email protected]
3. Or call: 617-651-BAIL (2245)

Required Materials:

• Client must be represented by court-appointed counsel
• Assessment of community ties
• History of court compliance
• Referral from court-appointed attorney

Process:

• Steering Committee reviews referrals
• Committee assesses eligibility based on criteria
• Decision made based on availability of funds
• If approved, bail is posted
• Client is referred to community services
• Client receives community-based support including accompaniment to court dates, medical appointments, and treatment program intakes
• Upon case completion, bail money is returned to fund

Note: All referrals must be made by court-appointed counsel. The Bail Fund does not accept direct applications from individuals.