“Like I literally lost. My jobs, apartment, car, my kids, everything.”

Across Missouri, Black pregnant people and Black babies experience some of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. This is due to anti-Blackness, racism, bias, and discrimination. Once in the system, Black pregnant people continue to be exposed to violence that infringes on their rights to control their bodies, make reproductive decisions, and parent.
Despite the reality that Black women bear the brunt of incarceration-being the fastest-growing population of those incarcerated in jails and prisons over the past 50 years and serving as caregivers and space holders for our families and communities-there has been little discussion about the specific ways Black women experience the impacts of incarceration.
Working towards abolishing the prison industrial complex is a crucial part of advancing the cause of Reproductive Justice. The state justifies more jails and prisons and increasing police budgets by claiming they keep our communities safe. However, we know that jails, prisons, and police do not produce safety. They do not prevent or interrupt violence. They do not heal or transform people away from violence. Instead, they perpetrate and perpetuate violence.
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The National Bail Out coordinates the Black Mama’s Day Bail Outs, where we bail out as many Black Mamas and caregivers as we can so they can spend Mother’s Day with their families where they belong!
The National Bail Out also provides fellowship and employment opportunities for those we bail out in order to support their growth and create a national community of leaders who have experienced incarceration.
We also work with groups across the country to support ongoing bail reform efforts and create resources for organizers and advocates interested in ending pretrial detention.
NationalBailOut.org