According to federal statistics, two thirds of the women held in jail because they can’t afford bail, have young kids. Now one group in Richmond is working to get some of them home to their families by Mother’s Day.

Mallory Noe-Payne reports.

Social worker and case manager Rebecca Keel sits outside Henrico County Jail. Keel is here to post bond for someone held inside. The money is a gift, raised and shared as part of a national effort called ‘Black Mamas Bail Out.’

This is the third year the movement has worked in the Richmond area. Keel says bond amounts have ranged from $500 to $40,000.

“Our efforts here are really substantial,” says Keel. “Even if it’s a thousand dollars of a bond… seeing someone burst into tears because they’ve been sitting here for so long unable to have anyone afford to pay that for them.”

The women are held not because they’ve been found guilty of any crime yet, but because they can’t afford to post bail while they wait for a trial.

And while Keel isn’t sharing personal details of the women they’ve helped, this is the third person in the Richmond area they’ve been in touch with this week.

“All black mamas, black caregivers - some are pregnant. Some are community mamas, meaning that person that’ll be on the front porch and looking out for the kids on the block,” Keel said. “It’s just very vital that we have those folks at home with their families, no matter their circumstances.”

In addition to paying bail the group also provides three free months of case management. The local ‘Black Mamas Bail Out’ effort is being supported by members of Southerners on New Ground, a regional social justice group.

You can find more information here.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.