The purpose of bail has always been to ensure that people return to court appearances. In my experience though, bail has almost always been tied to how guilty someone is thought to be or whether the judge and prosecutor think they might commit another crime https://twitter.com/bkbailfund/status/1197551729719558144

Even though everyone is supposed to be presumed innocent

BOTH bail AND even many existing efforts to reform bail are based on systemic prejudice against people of color, who don’t have higher education / employment, who have mental illness, who are poor, and who do not have supportive families

People with mental illness (at least in NY) are especially vulnerable, because if they need to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, they must be remanded (held without bail) until their evaluation is completed and it has been determined whether or not they are fit to stand trial.

This even includes people who are being actively treated, supported, and monitored in the community