PRESS CALL MONDAY: Civil Rights, Digital Justice, and Community-Based Organizations Representing Millions Discuss Need to Reform Bail Systems Without Risk Assessment Algorithms

Media 07.25,18

WASHINGTON – On Monday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET, civil rights, digital justice, and community-based organizations will hold a telephone press briefing to highlight their opposition to, and concerns with, the adoption of algorithmic risk assessment tools as a substitution for ending money bail. These tools use potentially inaccurate and biased data to forecast an individual’s likelihood of appearance at trial and/or risk to public safety. They represent local policymakers’ attempt to abdicate their responsibility to end unjust money bail systems and create a fairer pre-trial system.

The statement of civil rights concerns, signed by more than 100 national, state, and local organizations, calls for jurisdictions to reconsider their use of these tools, and to center transparency and accountability to the communities judged by these tools. This statement coincides with work in dozens of cities and states to transform their pretrial justice systems. The speakers will discuss the flaws in risk assessment tools, as well as strategies for how local activists and communities can use the statement and its policy recommendations in their efforts to end money bail and decrease pretrial incarceration.

RSVP requested to [email protected]

WHEN: Monday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m. ET

WHO:

  • Vanita Gupta, president and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Monique Dixon, deputy policy director, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF)
  • Jeff Robinson, deputy legal director, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • Scott Roberts, senior campaign director, Color of Change
  • Mark Houldin, defender counsel, Defender Association of Philadelphia
  • Impacted Person

Hannah Sassaman, policy director, Media Mobilizing Project; Logan Koepke, policy analyst, Upturn; and Andrea Woods, equal justice works fellowship attorney, ACLU will join for reporter Q&A.

DIAL-IN INFORMATION:

Dial-in: 877-830-2589

Conference ID: ASSESSMENT