Hold the Line on Bail Reform

Act Now

In 2019, the New York State Legislature passed a bail reform law that pushed New York’s criminal legal system in the right direction. It has allowed thousands of disproportionately Black and Brown people to hold on to their jobs, maintain connections with their family and communities, and avoid the increased risk of catching COVID in jail.

Now there is once again a push to ramp up mass incarceration and drag our state even further backwards than we were before.

TAKE ACTION: Tell lawmakers to hold the line on bail reform.

Message Recipients:
Governor Kathy Hochul

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Use the form to send a message to your legislator.

Subject

Message

When state legislators passed a bail reform law in 2019, it was an acknowledgment that no New Yorker should be put behind bars because they can’t afford to buy their freedom.

These important reforms came under attack as soon as they were passed by powerful forces that want to ramp up mass incarceration and drag our state backwards.

I’m writing to make sure you hold the line on bail reform and invest in real safety solutions.

Bail reform is working. It has allowed thousands of disproportionately Black and Brown people to hold on to their jobs, maintain connections with their family and communities, and avoid the increased risk of catching COVID in jail.

There is no evidence that bail reform has contributed to an increase in crime, and those released under the legislation continue to show up for their court dates at extremely high rates.

We all want safe communities, but incarcerating people pre-trial simply because they cannot afford bail does not keep us safe, and backtracking further on bail reform won’t make us safer. What we need are solutions we know actually prevent violence from happening in the first place, like community-based gun violence programs, violence interrupters, and restorative justice programs that are independent from law enforcement. We also need medical care for people with mental illness, including supportive housing on both a short term and long-term basis. We need a robust network of after-school programs for young people, and re-entry programs with case management for people leaving jails and prisons. We must also fully fund services for survivors of violence so they can heal.

Don’t be fooled by cynical attempts to drag us backwards. Don’t backtrack again on bail reform.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

Your Information

All data you enter here will be shared with the message recipient along with your message, per our privacy statement.

Salutation *

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Alternate Salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Phone Type *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

Sign me up for ACLU emails so I can stay informed and take action to protect people's rights.

I agree to receive calls and texts (including automated recurring text messages) from the ACLU and its state affiliates at the number I provided above about ways to take action and support the ACLU organizations. Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to quit. Privacy Statement

Leave this field blank

Hold the Line on Bail Reform

Act Now

Recent participants