People on probation work hard for their lives, and can lose it all with a minor charge

"Bail on 32 would allow people on probation to continue being out in the community until they are found innocent or guilty..."

Brandon Robinson

“We’re here today to get Bail on 32 passed to allow individuals a chance to continue their success of being out in the community and get bail on a violation - at least until we are found innocent or guilty of the charge,” said Brandon Robinson, who leads the Bail on 32 Campaign. “We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago with the powers that be who said that so many people in Rhode Island are on probation because it allows them to be in the community and not have to be inside the prison system. We explained that we need this change for the people because the problem we’re fighting is that we become vulnerable to the system while we’re in the community and getting established.

“For something as simple as not keeping the peace or disorderly conduct, we can lose everything we worked hard for. [Since I left prison] I got my education. I’m working on my doctorate and bought my first house. I’m trying to be a part of the solution in the community. I want to make a change and be in a position to help out the people who are coming up behind me, and I also want to set the example that we can do it. It doesn’t matter that you went to prison. It doesn’t matter that you’re on probation. You can do it.

“We’re here today because you can lose it all when you’re along this path, trying to accomplish these things. We want to put ourselves in a position where we don’t lose it all. If we make a mistake or something happens that’s out of our control, we want this insurance policy, so that we can come back and continue our life. If we’re going to get bail on a charge, why can’t we get bail on the violation that we haven’t even been found guilty of?”

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Community members, advocates, and directly impacted individuals gathered at the Rhode Island State House last Tuesday to demand an end to “unjust probation practices and support the BAIL ON 32 legislation.” Organized by Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), the rally featured testimonies from people affected by the probation system, alongside key legislative sponsors Senator Meghan Kallman (Democrat, District 15, Pawtucket, Providence) and Representative Jose Batista (Democrat, District 12, Providence).

Here’s the video:

DARE writes:

The Problem: Rhode Island’s Broken Probation System

In Rhode Island, individuals accused of probation violations - even for minor infractions like “failure to keep the peace” - are jailed without bail, sometimes for months before they receive a hearing. This process, known as a 32F violation, disrupts lives and leads to job loss, housing instability, and separation from loved ones.

In 2024, 61% to 66% of alleged probation violators were jailed without a hearing, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities. Rhode Island has the second-highest probation rate and the third-longest average probation sentence in the United States—leading to a cycle of incarceration that fuels one of the nation’s highest recidivism rates.

The Solution: BAIL ON 32

The BAIL ON 32 legislation would require courts to grant reasonable bail to individuals accused of probation violations - allowing them to fight their cases from home rather than behind bars. The bill does not eliminate judicial discretion; judges still have the authority to deny bail in serious cases.

This reform would restore due process rights to over 17,600 Rhode Islanders and reduce the prison population by hundreds at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).

“Our Communities Deserve Justice”

DARE’s Behind the Walls (BTW) Committee, led by formerly incarcerated and justice-impacted individuals, has been the driving force behind this historic legislation.

“Passing BAIL ON 32 would save our communities from the devastation of unjust incarceration,” says DARE organizer Ronald Doyle. “We are fighting to end a system that punishes people without due process.”