ABOUT US

What We Do

We advocate for ending pretrial detention while working to minimize the harm of the cash bail system by paying bail in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties of Washington State for people who would otherwise spend the pre-trial time in jail, resulting in damaged work and social connections, and increased pressure to plead guilty.

Our Values

At Northwest Community Bail Fund (NCBF), we are grounded in the belief that true justice is only possible when we dismantle the systems of oppression that harm our communities. 

 “Prisons do not disappear social problems, they disappear human beings. Homelessness, unemployment, drug addiction, mental illness, and illiteracy are only a few of the problems that disappear from public view when the human beings contending with them are relegated to cages.”― Angela Davis

We are Anti-racist

We are an anti-racist, anti-capitalist, and anti-poverty organization committed to disrupting the deeply rooted structures of white supremacy that criminalize and punish Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized people and our work is rooted in their lived experiences. We recognize that racism is not an isolated issue—it is systemic, deeply embedded in our institutions, and essential to the function of capitalism and the carceral state. We are guided by a vision of equity, dignity, and collective humanity.

We are Abolitionists

We believe that prisons, policing, and surveillance do not create safety—they uphold racial and economic violence. The systems we are fighting were designed to be punitive, racist, and rooted in the legacy of chattel slavery. We work toward a world free from cages and carceral thinking, where safety is built through care, not control. We reject reformist solutions that strengthen the power of the state, and instead push for transformative, long-term changes that shift power back into the hands of communities. Our work is not only to dismantle these systems, but to imagine and build new ones that affirm life, healing, and freedom.

We Practice Accountability

We believe in accountability that is rooted in community, not punishment. We practice and support transformative and restorative justice, which prioritizes healing, repair, and collective responsibility. We reject the false narrative that punishment brings safety or resolution. Instead, we believe harm is best addressed through dialogue, care, and a shared commitment to growth. Our work rejects disposability—we believe that all people have the capacity to heal and transform, and that justice must center those impacted by harm while creating space for accountability without causing more violence.

We are Human Centered, People First 

We center the agency, dignity, and well-being of people most impacted by the criminal punishment system. Our work is trauma-informed, rooted in harm reduction, and committed to honoring each person’s right to self-determination. We recognize the humanity in every person, and we believe that care and compassion, not coercion, should guide our work. We do not speak for our community; we move alongside them, uplift their voices, and support their power.

We Believe in Collective Liberation 

None of us is free until all of us are free. We understand that systems of oppression are interconnected and that justice requires solidarity, collaboration, and deep investment in our communities. We work in partnership with others to build community-led solutions that create real and lasting liberation. We believe in mutual aid, in lifting each other up, and in the power of collective action. We know our liberation is tied together—and that together, we will build the community we want to live in.