BLACK MAMAS BAIL OUT

Bailing Out Black Mamas, Building Toward Abolition

Too many Black mothers, caregivers, aunties, and grandmothers are sitting in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. Every year, thousands are separated from their families before they've even had a trial. It’s not about guilt or innocence; it’s about money. And it’s breaking apart our communities.

The Black Mamas Bail Out is both a direct action and a powerful tool for political education, designed to end the cash bail system and build momentum toward long-term abolitionist change.

Dignity and Power Now continues to support the national movement by participating in important bail reform efforts and leading its own annual bail out initiative in Los Angeles.

80%
of incarcerated women are parents.
(Source: Prison Policy Initiative)
58%
of incarcerated women are
parents to minors.
(Source: Prison Policy Initiative)
60%
of women in jails under local control have not been convicted of a crime and are awaiting trial.
(Source: Prison Policy Initiative)
Women have a higher mortality rate than men in jails.
(Source: Prison Policy Initiative)
The average yearly income of women who don’t make bail
is $11,000. The average cost
of bail is $10,000.
(Source: Prison Policy Initiative)

HISTORY OF THE FIGHT

2017
The Black Mamas Bail Out began as a national campaign led by National Bail Out, a Black-led collective of abolitionist organizers including DPN, lawyers, and advocates.

It was launched to bring Black mamas home in time for Mother’s Day and call attention to the devastating impact of cash bail. 
2021
The California Supreme Court determined (People vs Humphrey) that the practice of setting bail amounts higher than a person could afford to pay is unconstitutional.
2023
The Los Angeles Superior Court implemented the Pre-Arraignment Release Protocol (PARP or ‘zero dollar bail’) for specific charges in Los Angeles County.
2025
DPN launched its inaugural Black Mamas Bail Out and Homecoming events in Los Angeles by bailing out 3 mothers/caregivers from Lynnwood Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) just weeks before Mother’s Day.
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Black Mama Bailout - Dignity & Power Now

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Bail Out Black Mothers and Caregivers

We ensure that freedom is not only reserved for those with money and resources. In honor of Mother’s Day, our annual Black Mamas Bail Out provides direct support to bring mothers and caregivers home, especially those stuck in pretrial detention.

Wraparound Support Post-Release

We don’t stop at bail. We welcome participants with healing-centered support that meets them where they are by offering mental health resources, housing assistance, and connecting them to our Care Community Healing Program and Building Resilience Team.

Challenge the Cash Bail System

Through public education, organizing, and policy advocacy, we work to expose the harm of the cash bail system and push for its full elimination, especially in communities that are most targeted and under-resourced.

Despite the 2021 California Supreme Court ruling in People v. Humphrey, which mandates consideration of a person’s ability to pay, judges continue to impose bail amounts that exceed what is reasonable or fair.

Build Community, Not Cages

The Black Mamas Bail Out movement is rooted in education, empowerment, empathy, and equity.

We aim to restore hope, reunite families, strengthen community care, and model what real, compassionate alternatives to incarceration can look like.
Stories
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Impact
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Black Mama's Bailout - Dignity & Power Now
Meet the mamas and caregivers who remind us that Black women are not statistics. They are the heart of our communities.

Shaka

"Thank you to my angels from Dignity and Power…Thank you for showing up and showing out like you guys always do and like you guys will continue to do for other people.

I hope that you guys can bless other people and Black moms and bail them out of jail like you guys have been doing."

Released with the help of DPN's Black Mamas Bail Out 2025

Black Mama's Bailout - Dignity & Power Now

Free Black Mamas. Reunite Families. Restore Community.

From donations to supporting advocacy, there are many ways to stand with Black mamas. 

Your voice, time, and solidarity help us build a world rooted in their healing; not their punishment. Our Black Mama’s Bail Out effort happens in close partnership with National Bail Out, a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist organizers, lawyers, and activists.

Learn more about the movement to #FreeBlackMamas!
‍

Take action now
Black Mama's Bailout - Dignity & Power Now

Mother’s Day Means Coming Home

Since joining the national bail out movement, DPN has helped reunite dozens of families, shifted public narratives around incarceration, and built sustainable networks of support for system-impacted Black mothers and caregivers in Los Angeles.

In 2025, we:
  • Allocated $135,000 toward the bailouts of three mothers and caregivers
  • Coordinated supportive housing for all three mothers/caregivers
  • Hosted a Mother’s Day homecoming celebration with their families and invited community members.

HELP US BAIL OUT BLACK MAMAS

Your contribution helps bring Black mothers home and supports the care they need once they’re free.

Bail is just the beginning. Help us fund freedom and healing.

Donate today

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Our people-powered advocacy fights for abolition and liberation by promoting justice, healing, and investing in community care instead of cages.