Article snippet: Billionaire and 2020 Democrat presidential primary candidate Michael Bloomberg is vowing to free hundreds of thousands of accused criminals who are deemed “non-violent” by eliminating bail nationwide. During a speech in Jackson, Mississippi, Bloomberg laid out his plan to “reduce or eliminate the use of cash bail for non-violent offenders” who are awaiting trial. Such a policy would mean that of the roughly 462,000 accused criminals held in local jails, about 316,000 would be released without ever having to post bail. Bloomberg said bail is a “broken and discriminatory” practice that keeps minorities and poor Americans locked away. “No person should ever sit behind bars because their skin is dark or their pockets are empty,” Bloomberg said. Also, part of Bloomberg’s plan is cutting the number of adults in United States prisons. “The second major change we’re going to make is to reduce the number of adults in prison … it starts with improving schools, expanding job training, and investing in economic growth in communities that have suffered generations of neglect,” Bloomberg said. “It also means creating more alternatives to incarceration, including drug treatment and creating programs that reduce recidivism, provide mental health services and help people re-enter society and find employment.” Bloomberg’s embrace of ending bail comes as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is being asked by Republicans, Democrats, law enforcement officials, and local District Attorneys ... Link to the full article to read more