Councilwoman Cindy Bass speaks during council session

COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS APPLAUDS DISTRICT ATTORNEY KRASNER FOR ENDING CASH BAIL

In Cindy Bass, Council News, News by Cindy Bass

Like it? Share it!

Councilwoman Cindy Bass (8th District) applauds District Attorney Larry Krasner for ending cash bail for low-level offenses and calls for more criminal justice reform in the wake of the substance abuse crisis in Philadelphia.

“District Attorney Larry Krasner was elected on a progressive platform. I want to applaud the District Attorney for his move to end cash bail for a list of low-level criminal charges including possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and prostitution. A lot of the charges no longer requiring cash bail are directly related to the substance abuse crisis. I’m glad the City is taking steps to work to treat drug abuse more like a health crisis and less like a crime.

As we move forward to combat the substance abuse crisis, the City should create policies to apply new progressive mandates retroactively. People addicted to crack, opioids and alcohol fill our prisons having committed the crime of suffering—suffering with a debilitating addiction. I am more than confident that the D.A. will work to take steps to right the wrongs Philadelphia families have suffered for decades at the hands of antiquated “war on drugs” criminal justice policies.

Fixing our criminal justice system to reflect the modern understanding of drug addiction is one part in a multifaceted solution to the substance abuse crisis we see in Philadelphia today. The City should launch a robust, community-based education policy, recruit private funds to support already-existing drug treatment centers and hire individuals in the recovery community to help guide policy. I look forward to working with D.A. Krasner, Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration, drug treatment providers, community advocates and other stakeholders in the fight against substance abuse.”

For more information on Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ Five-Point Plan to address substance abuse, please visit this link.

# # #

Councilwoman Cindy Bass represents the 8th Council District, which includes Germantown, Mt. Airy, Nicetown, Tioga, Chestnut Hill, portions of Logan, and West Oak Lane. She is Chair of Council’s committees on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Public Health and Human Services.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email