Sponsor: County Attorney's Office
Title
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Memorandum of Understanding with the Partners of the Ramsey County Bail Reform Work Group for the Supported Pre-Charge Release Process
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the partners of the Ramsey County Bail Reform Work Group for the Supported Pre-Charge Release Process.
2. Authorize the Board Chair to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
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Background and Rationale
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The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to set forth the goals and details of the pre-charge release process to ensure mutual understanding and demonstrate support for the initiative. Nothing in this MOU creates any legal obligation or supersedes any legal or policy requirements for any of the partners of the Ramsey County Bail Reform Work Group (BRWG). This MOU shall become effective upon signature by the authorized officials from the partners and will remain in effect until January 1, 2026 or until terminated by any one of the partners.
The Ramsey County BRWG is a collaborative effort between justice system stakeholders, nonprofit groups, and community members dedicated to improving Ramsey County’s pretrial system by prioritizing community well-being and safety and reducing reliance on cash bail. The BRWG goals are to eliminate the harm to communities caused by the for-profit cash bail system while improving public safety and court appearances by:
• Transitioning from a system based on wealth to one based on risk.
• Reducing the reliance on the cash bail system.
• Ensuring no one is held because of an inability to pay.
• Reducing the jail population.
• Increasing court appearance rate.
• Engaging community members to develop and be part of system alternatives including, but not limited to a pretrial assessment tool.
• Orienting systems around promoting community safety and wellbeing.
The pre-charge release process is one method the BRWG has developed to achieve some of these goals by providing a process for people who meet certain eligibility criteria to be released immediately after booking, provide navigation services that help them successfully appear in court if needed, and access to any supportive services they may need.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Cash bail creates racial and economic disparities in our system. Research has documented the negative impact of financial release conditions on people of color and people experiencing poverty. National data shows that on average, Black and Latino people receive higher financial conditions than similarly situated white people, and as a result, are more likely to be detained.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The BRWG has prioritized collaboration between community members and system stakeholders to jointly create, improve, implement and evaluate policies, practices, and service delivery in a way that centers the experience of those who will use the services or be impacted by the particular system(s) at issue. Central to this work is participation, inclusion, collaboration, and a broad representation from communities across Ramsey County, including those who have been impacted by the pretrial justice process. The Supported Pre-Charge Release Process was developed through this collaborative work.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Costs for the pre-charge release process and related “bail reform” work is either incorporated into current operating costs or covered by one time State public safety funding previously allocated by the Board. The Board allocated $2,030,000 in funding through 2027 for community supports, staffing resources, and website development and maintenance.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Memorandum of Understanding for Supported Pre-Charge Release Process