DC’s risk-based detention system has worked better than cash bail for more than three decades. HR 5214 would keep poor people in jail just because they cannot afford to buy their freedom. The data is clear: this has terrible consequences for families!

~47% of women & 43% of men in DC experience domestic violence, of which 95%+ experience financial abuse and 52%+ experience coerced debt. DC has the opportunity to enact coerced debt protections for residents. We look forward to working with the
@councilofdc.bsky.social on the issue.