The Bail Fund is a critical tool to prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system.

As of 2019 it costs Alaskans about $170 a day to house prisoners. Anchorage Jail is an 850 bed facility at 98% capacity. 12% of those prisoners are nonviolent offenders. That means, roughly 100 nonviolent prisoners are costing our state $17,000 a day.

We don’t believe it is in the State’s interest to keep people accused of low level, nonviolent crimes in jail simply because they are unable to afford bail. Many of these people have families they are responsible for, are at risk of losing employment, or becoming homeless.

According to data from Vera, the average cost per person in prison ranges from about $14,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on the state. We content that your tax dollars would be much better spent on education, housing and rehabilitation efforts.

If you have a friend or family member accused of a low level, nonviolent, nonsexual crime with no history of violence or bail violations, we may be interested in donating up to $200 dollars toward their bail.