#EndMoneyBail for a better Hawai‘i and a Better Nation
Join a panel of experts for an evening of insight on Hawaii's part in dismantling mass incarceration — starting with money bail. Featuring visiting and local experts. Free and open to the public!
#EndMoneyBail for a better Hawai‘i and a Better Nation
Thursday, September 27
Art at Marks Garage
1159 Nu‘uanu Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96817
On any given day, over half of the people in Hawaii's jails are awaiting trial on a crime for which they have not been convicted. Innocent in the eyes of the law, most sit in overcrowded jails simply because they cannot afford the amount of money bail set by the courts.
While some can pay cash bail and walk free, in just a few days, people accused of crimes who cannot afford bail can lose everything: housing, employment, child custody. It's unfair, unequal, and does nothing to improve public safety.
A nationwide campaign is underway to end and reform money bail, and Hawai'i needs to join that movement.
The ACLU of Hawai'i presents a panel discussion on national and local trends in bail policy, how it affects our community, and efforts to end the use of money bail in Hawai'i. Local and national experts will also explore racial and economic biases in setting bail, which create unconstitutional, separate systems of justice: one for those who can afford bail and one for those who cannot. The event will include a discussion about findings from ACLU of Hawai'i bail study, "As Much Justice as You Can Afford: Hawaii's Accused Face An Unequal System of Justice."
The ACLU of Hawai'i welcomes three expert speakers to help us understand the scope and framework for ending money bail: from the National ACLU's Criminal Law Reform Project located in New York, Senior Staff Attorney Twyla Carter; from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Assistant Professor and policing expert Seth Stoughton; and State if Hawai'i Deputy Public Defender Kirsha K. Durante.
The speakers are joined by ACLU of Hawai'i Legal Director Mateo Caballero, who will share some findings from our updated Hawai'i bail study and guide the conversation.
A livestream of the event is planned on Facebook Live. Your questions are welcome! Please join us for an evening of learning as we work together to #EndMoneyBail in Hawai'i nei.
Questions? Please contact office@acluhawaii.org or call 808-522-5904.