Yolanda Johnson found herself ensnared in a distressing ordeal back in the summer of 2021. Recalling an altercation with her former partner, Johnson, in an attempt to defend herself, found herself grappling with legal ramifications after being charged with domestic violence and assault. Placed behind bars due to the inability to meet the exorbitant bail set at $20,000, Johnson endured three weeks of confinement before Cara McClure, founder of Faith & Works Collective, intervened.
McClure’s organization delved into Johnson’s case, eventually leading to the dismissal of all charges. But Johnson’s plight underscores a pervasive issue: the plight of individuals, predominantly Black Americans, caught in pretrial detention due to unaffordable bail. This dilemma, mirrored in countless stories like Johnson’s, highlights the urgent need for intervention.
