Earlier this year the Connecticut House of Representatives ended the Bail Reform Bill known as Second Chance Society. Governor P. Malloy’s bill met controversy on the House floor when it was discovered that violent criminals might be eligible for bail. Opponents to the bill produced names of inmates who had committed past violent crimes and had felonies that could receive free bail if the bill was successful.
The bill met bipartisan concern with both parties voicing issues that ultimately led to its defeat. Many found the bill complicated and failed to see how the bill would ultimately fix the bigger issues that plague our criminal justice system.
Similar attempts to reform or eliminate the bail system have met defeat in other states including Kansas, Idaho and California. Many credit the outspoken president of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States, Beth Chapman. The former reality TV star has travelled across the country addressing politicians, fans and lobbyists about the issues with bail reform. With nearly a million social media followers, Ms. Chapman has made quite a mark on the industry. With the former star of “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt” at the helm, it is undoubtedly going to be an interesting year for people trying to fix a bail system that doesn’t seem to be broken.
