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Some Idahoans Cashing Out to Make Bail

Some bail bonds companies say people are cashing out their 401k's and putting almost everything they own up for collateral just to bail out their loved ones out of jail.

It's a tough decision some people are forcing to make use the money they have to bail out of jail or put food on the table.

"They're just frustrated in general trying to pay for bonds, legal fees and attorneys and housing. It's just hard for everyone right now," said the manager of Hometown Bail Bonds Jackie Hamilton.

Jackie Hamilton says for the past 3 months business has been pretty slow.

"More people are staying in jail going to the arraignment and pleading guilty just to get it done with," said Hamilton.

From stereos, to power tools to even personal jewelry people are coming into pawn shops desperately trying to get their hands on some cash to bail out their loved ones.

So if people aren't paying their bonds, jails are getting full and bail bonds worry about their own business.

"I've been doing this for 10 years and I've never seen it like this. I've never seen the collections as bad as it is now," said the Collector of the Hometown Bail Bonds Sarah Janousek.

An Ada County Sherriff told me the jail holds about 12-hundred people and they're almost at full capacity.