4 ms·

Someones, somewheres has done a better job of handling the accused pre-trial. Start there. Give me a name. Show me a role model to emulate. Then tell me how w

Someones, somewheres has done a better job of handling the accused pre-trial. Start there. Give me a name. Show me a role model to emulate. Then tell me how we get from here to there. But even better, just tell me what you want. Give me action steps, some talking points. Because you had me at "Hello." I really don't need a PhD thesis relitigating western philosophy since Plato. (Ditto each and every other progressive policy issue.)

pySSK 6y ago
The article is quite clear in discussing the problem and solutions. When I don't understand a post about, let's say Rust, I acknowledge the gap in my knowledge instead of asking the software engineering community to dumb stuff down.
- specialist 6y ago
  Inevitable HN critiques of each new boutique bespoke programming language and text editor du jour is poor landing page, missing screenshots, and example code buried in some wiki. How is this any different? Pretrial Services Association doesn't even get named. Just some links 1/2 down the article. For other future dummies, like myself, who've actually organized and passed legislation, here's a draft TLDR: Our pretrial cash bail system sucks. Especially for the poor. There's lots of negative knockoff effects. Here's an explainer [article], [wiki], and [video]. After 60 years of talking about reform, we need a plan. We advocate adopting the federal Pretrial Services Agency (psa.gov) risk assessment system nationwide. Like DC and NJ did 20+ years ago. They've proven effective, costs less to administer, is more fair, and leads to better outcomes. Link to impressive metrics [here]. Here's how you can help. Support your state or county based org, listed [here]. Your state not listed? No worries. Here's a [simple guide] to bootstrap an org for your state. With handy links to [model legislation], [resolutions], and [talking points]. Please [contact us] our national campaign for additions, corrections, and questions. -- Edit: Aha. This Harvard workbook doesn't suck. http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/BailReform_WEB.pdf http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/BailReform_WEB.pdf It even has model legislation. Perfect for the target audience (legislative aides). Great starting point for creating a workbook for dummies, err, activists, like myself.
- twic 6y ago
  The article conspicuously does not mention practice in other countries. Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Scotland all have legal systems and cultures closely related to that of the US, and could potentially be the somewhere which has done a better job of handling the accused pre-trial.
  - specialist 6y ago
    I just dug a wee bit. Caruso (author) is in the UK, an academic studying this issue. My bad for assuming he's in the States. I do have specific hard on for authors and journalists advocating reforms. For the love of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (god), point your audience to local orgs. I've been to so many seminars, book tour events, etc. Every one present is already on board. They showed up because they want to do something, want to be around other people who also care.
- specialist 6y ago
  I just learned this issue is on the CA State 2020 ballot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_California_Proposition_25 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_California_Proposition_25 (h/t SSC.) Seems noteworthy? Advocating a Yes vote is a simple, concrete call to action. Seems reasonable?
vikasg 6y ago
How is this comment that adds zero value considered "civil"? Oh, right. Because it fits right in with the bullshit reflexive contrarianism around here.
- specialist 6y ago
  Whinging and navel gazing are necessary and fine activities. For a while. But at some point, one has to transmute outrage into action. Adapt, grow, assume agency. This issue is settled. The smart people figured out better solutions. The public supports reform. This stage requires the hard work of organizing and lobbying. My only regret is assuming Caruso (author) is American. Alas, he's in the UK. So he probably wouldn't have known that bail reform is on CA State's 2020 ballot. -- Have you ever taken a CPR class? One of the action steps is to point at someone as yell "Call 911!" as you start checking vitals. If everyone is just standing around trying to figure out what to do, the victim (patient) dies. Activism, effecting real change in the real world, is a bit like that.
  - vikasg 6y ago
    reply, smug, just like that. Commenting on HN is settled. Quarterback, armchair, they call it that. -- Have you talked to a human? One of the action steps is to not be a know-it-all. Alas, sentences with two commas, is what you have.
PascLeRasc 6y ago
Countries like Germany and Iceland, and some areas of the US like Washington DC, just release people freely on $0 bail, and get a pretty high (88-94% from different articles) number of people showing up to court through community jail support groups helping people understand the legal process and recover from being held in a cage. If you want a place where you can help, look up mutual aid bail funds for your city. There’s probably one and they’re always looking for volunteers or donations.

pySSK 6y ago

The article is quite clear in discussing the problem and solutions. When I don't understand a post about, let's say Rust, I acknowledge the gap in my knowledge instead of asking the software engineering community to dumb stuff down.

specialist 6y ago
Inevitable HN critiques of each new boutique bespoke programming language and text editor du jour is poor landing page, missing screenshots, and example code buried in some wiki. How is this any different? Pretrial Services Association doesn't even get named. Just some links 1/2 down the article. For other future dummies, like myself, who've actually organized and passed legislation, here's a draft TLDR: Our pretrial cash bail system sucks. Especially for the poor. There's lots of negative knockoff effects. Here's an explainer [article], [wiki], and [video]. After 60 years of talking about reform, we need a plan. We advocate adopting the federal Pretrial Services Agency (psa.gov) risk assessment system nationwide. Like DC and NJ did 20+ years ago. They've proven effective, costs less to administer, is more fair, and leads to better outcomes. Link to impressive metrics [here]. Here's how you can help. Support your state or county based org, listed [here]. Your state not listed? No worries. Here's a [simple guide] to bootstrap an org for your state. With handy links to [model legislation], [resolutions], and [talking points]. Please [contact us] our national campaign for additions, corrections, and questions. -- Edit: Aha. This Harvard workbook doesn't suck. http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/BailReform_WEB.pdf http://cjpp.law.harvard.edu/assets/BailReform_WEB.pdf It even has model legislation. Perfect for the target audience (legislative aides). Great starting point for creating a workbook for dummies, err, activists, like myself.
twic 6y ago
The article conspicuously does not mention practice in other countries. Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Scotland all have legal systems and cultures closely related to that of the US, and could potentially be the somewhere which has done a better job of handling the accused pre-trial.
- specialist 6y ago
  I just dug a wee bit. Caruso (author) is in the UK, an academic studying this issue. My bad for assuming he's in the States. I do have specific hard on for authors and journalists advocating reforms. For the love of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (god), point your audience to local orgs. I've been to so many seminars, book tour events, etc. Every one present is already on board. They showed up because they want to do something, want to be around other people who also care.
specialist 6y ago
I just learned this issue is on the CA State 2020 ballot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_California_Proposition_25 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_California_Proposition_25 (h/t SSC.) Seems noteworthy? Advocating a Yes vote is a simple, concrete call to action. Seems reasonable?

vikasg 6y ago

How is this comment that adds zero value considered "civil"? Oh, right. Because it fits right in with the bullshit reflexive contrarianism around here.

specialist 6y ago
Whinging and navel gazing are necessary and fine activities. For a while. But at some point, one has to transmute outrage into action. Adapt, grow, assume agency. This issue is settled. The smart people figured out better solutions. The public supports reform. This stage requires the hard work of organizing and lobbying. My only regret is assuming Caruso (author) is American. Alas, he's in the UK. So he probably wouldn't have known that bail reform is on CA State's 2020 ballot. -- Have you ever taken a CPR class? One of the action steps is to point at someone as yell "Call 911!" as you start checking vitals. If everyone is just standing around trying to figure out what to do, the victim (patient) dies. Activism, effecting real change in the real world, is a bit like that.
- vikasg 6y ago
  reply, smug, just like that. Commenting on HN is settled. Quarterback, armchair, they call it that. -- Have you talked to a human? One of the action steps is to not be a know-it-all. Alas, sentences with two commas, is what you have.

PascLeRasc 6y ago

Countries like Germany and Iceland, and some areas of the US like Washington DC, just release people freely on $0 bail, and get a pretty high (88-94% from different articles) number of people showing up to court through community jail support groups helping people understand the legal process and recover from being held in a cage. If you want a place where you can help, look up mutual aid bail funds for your city. There’s probably one and they’re always looking for volunteers or donations.