Every day in the U.S., there are more than 631,000 people in jail — two-thirds of whom haven't been convicted of a crime and are legally innocent. Most of them — primarily Black and poor people — are locked up simply because they can’t afford money bond. While awaiting trial, they often end up losing their jobs, homes, custody of their kids, or even their lives.

Ohio is one of the nation’s leaders in mass correctional control — with 2,845 per 100,000 residents locked up in jail, prison or under court supervision. Why should you care?

• It’s costly. Ohio taxpayers spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year on pretrial detention. That’s money that could be spent on resources that enrich communities, or address many of the root causes of why people come in contact with the criminal justice system, such as mental health or substance use needs.

• It’s harmful. Jail destabilizes families for generations. One in every 10 children in Ohio has had an incarcerated parent, which is linked to poor school performance, health issues and poverty. In 2015, over 3,200 women went to jail in Ohio — many of whom are mothers of young children.

• It’s unfair. Black people make up 13% of the general population in Ohio, but 34% of jail populations. The ACLU of Ohio found that Black people are more likely to be detained before trial than white people with similar charges and histories, because they are assigned higher bail amounts.

• It’s unjust. When people are locked up, they’re less able to participate in their own legal defense, and more likely to accept a plea deal simply to get out of jail. Over 97% of all criminal cases in Ohio in 2018 were resolved not by a trial, but through negotiated plea agreements.

Whether you live in the Buckeye State or beyond, your voice is needed in the movement for pretrial justice. Learn how to make a difference.