The New Hampshire Community Bail Fund frees people who are stuck in jail before being tried for any crime. In many cases, they are accused of misdemeanors like trespassing, shoplifting, and drug possession.
Despite being innocent until proven guilty, they are unable to get out of jail because they can’t afford bail—sometimes as little as $50. Most of the people we work with are held at Valley Street Jail in Manchester, where Covid has frequently been rampant. Many need treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders, which they are unable to receive in jail.
In 2020, we paid 16 bails. In 2021, we paid 47, and we’re on track to pay close to 200 in 2022. While the majority of the bails we pay are eventually returned to the fund once our clients’ cases are resolved, it often takes 12-16 months or more to get our funds back. So we depend on supporters to help us continue our work in the face of ever-increasing bail requests and slow bail returns.
The NH Community Bail Fund
- Provides bail for people being held at Valley Street Jail in Manchester, NH
- Provides bail for those held in jail elsewhere in the state when possible
- Provides bonds for eligible immigrants detained by ICE in New Hampshire
- Collaborates with other community organizations and agencies to connect clients with services they need
- Works for an end to cash bail and the transformation of the criminal legal system
- Is a small team of unpaid volunteers
- Is fiscally sponsored by Unitarian Universalist Action New Hampshire
- Is part of the National Bail Fund Network
You can donate online here.
If you donate by check, please make the check out to our fiscal sponsor, Unitarian Universalist Action NH.
Please write “bail fund” in the memo line.
You can also mail a check to:
NH Community Bail Fund,
c/o UU Action NH
P.O. Box 3862
Manchester, NH 03105