Broward County, Fla., public defender Gordon Weekes poses Friday, June 4, 2021, in San Francisco. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. Judges in multiple counties said they are now more likely to release people to await resolution of their cases at home than in jail, and are in conversation with others in the system to bolster electronic monitoring and other programs to keep an eye on people pre-trial. But it’s not clear if these changes will stick. “It’s a slow progression back into what people know,” said Weekes. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The Palm Beach County Main Detention Center is shown, Friday, June 4, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. But the numbers have begun creeping back up again as courts are back in session and the world begins returning to a modified version of normal. It’s worrying criminal justice reformers who argue that the past year proved there is no need to keep so many people locked up in the U.S. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

This image provided by Beth Fouquier shows Patrick Fagan holding his son Dash in Braxton, Miss., on May 7, 2021. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. For Fagan, it seemed at first like getting probation for his marijuana possession charge in Flowood, Miss., was a good deal, but after being arrested for unpaid court fees he and his partner they decided he should take a deal that would have him serve a weekend in jail in order to end his probation, they both said. But when he got to the Lowndes County Jail to serve his time last August, he said, they turned him away. As a precaution against the virus, they were only accepting people charged with violent crimes. “I don’t know how to quantify how good it feels to not have to go to jail,” Fagan said. (Beth Fouquier via AP) (Beth Fouquier via AP)

This image provided by Raymonde G. Haney shows Lee Haney. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. But the decrease didn't last long. Raymonde Haney’s grandson Lee had been jailed on a domestic violence charge in Tarrant County, Texas, when he died of COVID-19 at 34 in December. While others were released as part of safety precautions, he didn’t qualify. (Raymonde G. Haney via AP)

An elevated walkway leading from the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center to the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building is shown, Friday, June 4, 2021, in Miami. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. But the numbers have begun creeping back up again as courts are back in session and the world begins returning to a modified version of normal. It’s worrying criminal justice reformers who argue that the past year proved there is no need to keep so many people locked up in the U.S. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Palm Beach County Main Detention Center on Friday, June 4, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. But the numbers have begun creeping back up again as courts are back in session and the world begins returning to a modified version of normal. It’s worrying criminal justice reformers who argue that the past year proved there is no need to keep so many people locked up in the U.S. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Broward County, Fla., public defender Gordon Weekes poses Friday, June 4, 2021, in San Francisco. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. Judges in multiple counties said they are now more likely to release people to await resolution of their cases at home than in jail, and are in conversation with others in the system to bolster electronic monitoring and other programs to keep an eye on people pre-trial. But it’s not clear if these changes will stick. “It’s a slow progression back into what people know,” said Weekes. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

'This image provided by Beth Fouquier shows Patrick Fagan and his son Dash. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. For Fagan, it seemed at first like getting probation for his marijuana possession charge in Flowood, Miss., was a good deal, but after being arrested for unpaid court fees he and his partner they decided he should take a deal that would have him serve a weekend in jail in order to end his probation, they both said. But when he got to the Lowndes County Jail to serve his time last August, he said, they turned him away. As a precaution against the virus, they were only accepting people charged with violent crimes. “I don’t know how to quantify how good it feels to not have to go to jail,” Fagan said. (Beth Fouquier via AP)

A corrections officer stands near a door at the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center, Friday, June 4, 2021, in Miami. By the middle of 2020, the number of people in jails nationwide was at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new report by the Vera Institute of Justice, whose researchers collected population numbers from about half of the nation’s 3,300 jails to make national estimates. But the numbers have begun creeping back up again as courts are back in session and the world begins returning to a modified version of normal. It’s worrying criminal justice reformers who argue that the past year proved there is no need to keep so many people locked up in the U.S. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)