Poster #204 - The Cost of Freedom: Examining the Socioeconomic Impact of Cash Bail in Pennsylvania

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Cash bail systems in the United States disproportionately impact lower-income individuals, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities within the criminal justice system. This study examines the relationship between average cash bail amounts and household incomes across all Pennsylvania counties. Results indicate that nearly 42% of counties impose average bail amounts that equal or exceed half of the average household income, highlighting a significant financial burden on economically disadvantaged individuals. Prior research shows that even brief pretrial detention can lead to severe consequences, including job loss, housing instability, and family disruption, often within thirty days. Such destabilization perpetuates a cycle of poverty and criminal involvement, undermining the presumption of innocence for those unable to afford bail. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for policy reform to mitigate the adverse effects of cash bail on low-income populations. The discussion will explore alternatives to the current bail system, focusing on approaches that maintain public safety while promoting equitable pretrial justice. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting bail reform as a strategy to reduce socioeconomic disparities within the criminal justice system.

Authors

• Margaret Morton, Slippery Rock University

• Sarah Kuehn, Slippery Rock University

• Rebecca J. Ridener, Slippery Rock University

• Sydney Berger, Slippery Rock University