Since its founding in 2018, the CALEB Hamilton County Community Bail Fund has paid the bails of 60 inmates in a quest to remove the financial barrier of cash bail.
But in 2021, the fund’s organizers are setting expectations even higher. They want to help 200 people in one year.
CALEB, which stands for Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality and Benevolence, is an area faith-based nonprofit organization. Its bail fund pays for people’s cash bail, a system where money is paid to release an individual from jail before a later court date and then funds are returned after court attendance.
The organization receives donations from the community and helps those with minor charges who don’t have the financial means to be released.
(READ MORE: Community group launches bail fund to help defendants stuck in jail)