Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of New York City’s bail reform on crime, recidivism, and jail populations, with particular attention to whether the reform has contributed to increased violence. Implemented in 2020 to reduce racial and economic inequalities, bail reform eliminated cash bail for most low-level offenses and emphasized the least restrictive pretrial conditions, with subsequent amendments expanding eligibility for detention. Using cross-sectional data from multiple governmental and research institutions, this study analyzes arrest rates, rearrest rates, and jail population trends before and after implementation. Findings indicate no significant increase in recidivism or violent crime attributable to bail reform. Fluctuations in incarceration rates are largely explained by legislative amendments and the COVID-19 pandemic rather than the reform itself. Overall, the results challenge public narratives linking bail reform to rising violence and suggest the policy has supported equity without compromising public safety.

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