Help Reform Bail
Help allow people to defend themselves from a position of freedom.
Help make strides toward equality and justice for all people.
At every stage, the U.S. criminal punishment system is deeply racialized and extreme in its harshness, from policing to prosecution to sentencing, imprisonment, and reentry. The U.S. criminal punishment system works to keep a person imprisoned long after leaving confinement, be it through exorbitant legal financial obligations or by making a criminal record a barrier to housing or employment. While our juvenile court system is supposed to focus on rehabilitation, reduced punishment, and care for justice-involved youth, juvenile facilities frankly end up serving as “mini jails.” All of these consequences fall disproportionately on people of color.
The Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF) envisions a society where pretrial detention is abolished, incarcerated people are treated with dignity, and societal systems of accountability are reimagined to prioritize community care, rehabilitation, and true justice. Our 2025 legislative agenda calls for the end of harmful punitive systems, the promotion of alternatives to incarceration, and the restoration of civil rights for those impacted by the system.
The following legislation represents our ongoing commitment to ending pretrial detention, advancing abolition, and ensuring justice for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities disproportionately impacted by incarceration.
Read our full legislative agenda here: 2025 Legislative Agenda
Learn More About the Legislative Process
The Washington State Legislature is made up of two houses (or chambers), the Senate and the House of Representatives. Washington has 49 legislative districts, each of which elects a Senator and two Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and Representatives serve two-year terms. The Senate and House of Representatives meet in session each year to create new laws, change existing laws, and enact budgets for the State.
Use this page to easily access information on the Washington State Legislature’s website by clicking the hyperlinks below.
Unfortunately, given COVID-19, we can’t plan traditional lobby visits. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make our voices heard! This overview has all the information you need to plan a successful virtual lobby visit on any issue.
Washington State has one of the most open legislatures in the country. A bill has a public hearing before Senate and House committees before being considered on the floor of the House and Senate. During the 2021 session, House and Senate committees will meet virtually. You have the opportunity to provide written testimony, state your position on a bill, or register to testify remotely via videoconference by registering at Committee Sign In. You may also contact your legislator making your position on a bill known. You can do so by writing a letter, sending an email, calling the legislator’s Olympia office, or by calling the Legislative Hotline at 800.562.6000.
However, you answer this question: “Who can I talk to today to help make strides toward equality and justice for all people?” That’s the core message of the Northwest Community Bail Fund’s advocacy efforts. Examples can include telling the nonprofit’s story to a potential funder, talking to a reporter or editor about the organization’s impact in the community, and encouraging local civic groups to send volunteers to a local community event (e.g., court watching). It can also mean telling your story of impact to government officials, educating policymakers about your work, and sharing your expertise in helpful ways.
Moving Toward Abolition and Transformative Justice
The Northwest Community Bail Fund is committed to the abolition of the prison-industrial complex and the dismantling of systems that criminalize poverty, mental illness, and addiction. Our 2025 agenda not only advocates for immediate reforms that will improve conditions and restore rights but also pushes toward long-term transformation to:
- End pretrial detention and the system of cash bail, ensuring people are not incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay.
- Expand community-based alternatives to incarceration, such as restorative justice and diversion programs.
- Advocate for investments in community care rather than further investment in policing and prisons.
- Push for policies that reduce racial and economic disparities in the justice system and provide opportunities for people to thrive post-incarceration.
Our Long-Term Vision
We are working toward a world where pretrial detention ends, incarceration is abolished, and communities are empowered to care for their own. By advancing these 2025 legislative priorities, we will work towards a more just, compassionate, and equitable society that values freedom, rehabilitation, and the inherent worth of all individuals. Together, we can make these changes a reality and ensure that no one is left behind.
This legislative agenda represents a roadmap for a future that prioritizes abolition, restorative justice, and community empowerment. Join us in advocating for a reimagined path to restoration—one where the cycle of incarceration and punishment is broken, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
The Northwest Community Bail Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
EIN 83-1096468
Want to get involved in our Court Watch Program?
NCBF facilitates programs in King County and Pierce County to monitor court activity, gather data and help inform change to protect people from an abusive system. You can get involved today to bring Court Watch to your county or join in current efforts.