“Ohio should be a place of freedom and justice for all. We need to reform our unjust bail system so we can ensure that each and every Ohioan is treated fairly in the criminal legal system, regardless of their skin color or ability to pay.
For too long now, Ohio Republicans have rigged the rules so that Black, brown, and low-income Ohioans bear the burden of our unjust bail system. Every single dollar paid to secure a loved one’s release could be better spent feeding a child, securing safe housing, or paying for school.
As Ohioans, we keep each other safe. Real public safety means keeping all of our families safe, not setting up Ohioans to fail. Issue 1 will not result in public safety because cash bail does not keep us safe. It will amend Ohio’s constitution so that the wealthiest Ohioans can buy their freedom even when it’s undeserved – simply because they have the money to do so.
Ohioans deserve justice over jails. The only way to do that is to vote “NO” on Issue 1 in November. Our lives and communities are on the line.”
Prentiss Haney, Co-Executive Director, OOC
