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Download the Jail-N-Bail nomination form here.
“Jail-N-Bail” will be held during Welcome Week on August 27th. It is sponsored by the Staff Council, the UT Dallas Police Department and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). The goal is to raise a total of $30,000 in donations. Proceeds will be split evenly between the Staff Council Scholarship Fund (for staff) and the Officer Bernard F. Parson Memorial Student Scholarship Fund (for students).
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Jail-N-Bail?
The UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail involves a mock jail setup in front of the Student Union. Typically, upstanding citizens are "arrested" by Keystone Cops, go before a "judge" and then spend time in "jail" raising "bail" for donations to the Staff Council Endowed Scholarship fund (for staff), and the Officer Bernard Parson Memorial Scholarship fund (for students).
The fun-filled event begins with someone filing a charge with their local UT Dallas Staff Council representative against their boss, spouse, friend or co-worker. The UT Dallas Staff Council fundraising committee will confirm the charge with the "jailbird". On the day of the arrest, Keystone Cops arrive and escort the "jailbird" to "jail", where the “jailbird” is formally "charged" and tried.
If found guilty, the "jailbird" is sentenced to raise bail; the jailbird joins other prisoners in a specially constructed mock cell, complete with pledge form and a telephone to call friends, relatives and colleagues. At the end of the sentence, the jailbird is released and receives an official pardon certificate. Most incarcerations last from 1 to 3 hours.
Jailbirds can also be arrested as a team, better known as a “chain gang”. Friends, family members and co-workers are thrown in jail together and sentenced to raise bail as a group.
UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail event questions
How does Jail-N-Bail work?
A snitch contacts a UT Dallas Staff Council representative requesting the arrest of a boss, co-worker, friend, relative or other person on a "trumped-up charge". Examples of such charges may include; depriving a village somewhere of an idiot, failing to yield at the end of a sentence or failure to participate in the human race.
When the arrest is a surprise, the snitch is encouraged to check that the jailbird's calendar is clear. Where applicable, the snitch asks the jailbird's supervisor to approve the jailbird's time away from the office.
Keystone Cops arrest the jailbird at work and take the jailbird to the jail site, where the jailbird appears before a volunteer judge to answer to the "trumped-up charge". The judge sets bail and sentences the jailbird to serve time to try to raise the bail. The jailbird receives a telephone and telephone book so the jailbird can call family members, co-workers, friends, neighbors and acquaintances in order to raise bail.
At the time of their arrest, jailbirds are reminded to bring their “little black book” so they will have their personal contact listing in order to make calling easier.
When the jailbird's sentence is served, a volunteer driver returns the jailbird to work.
Jailbirds can also be arrested as a team, better known as a “chain gang”. Friends, family members and co-workers are thrown in jail together and sentenced to raise bail as a group.
Where is Jail-N-Bail taking place?
Jail-N-Bail takes place In front of the UT Dallas Student Union on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, from 8 AM – 5 PM.
How does UT Dallas use the funds raised at the Jail-N-Bail event?
The UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail will split the funds raised evenly between the Staff Council Endowed Scholarship fund (for staff), and the Officer Bernard Parson Memorial Scholarship fund (for students); unless otherwise specified.
Types of UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail arrests
What is the difference between a self-arrest and a surprise arrest?
A self-arrest occurs when a jailbird arranges his or her own arrest. This gives the jailbird several days or weeks before the event to collect pledges and raise bail.
A surprise arrest happens when a snitch nominates someone, such as a friend, co-worker or relative, to be arrested for a good cause. The jailbird is not aware of the impending arrest until Keystone Cops arrive at the jailbird's workplace or at a pre-determined pick-up location. Surprise arrests add to the prank-like fun of the event.
As with individual jailbirds, chain gangs can arrange their own arrest or the arrest can be a surprise.
As a snitch, how do I make the experience positive for the jailbird and help avoid any unpleasant surprises?
You should assist in the UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail fun by taking the following precautions before your jailbird's scheduled pick-up time:
- Have the jailbird's supervisor approve the person's time away from the office.
- Provide a contact name and phone number on the registration form that the chief arresting officer can call before dispatching Keystone Cops to ensure the jailbird is available when they arrive.
- Have an alternate jailbird available in the event that the surprise jailbird is unavailable or refuses to be arrested (record contact information on the registration form).
- Check that charges against the jailbird are fun-spirited and not authentic-sounding.
- Collect pledges on behalf of the jailbird from co-workers and friends.
- Prepare the jailbird's address book, contact lists or company directory and give them to the jailbird at the time of arrest.
- Meet the Keystone Cops at the scheduled pick-up location and hand over pre-collected pledges to the jailbird.
What are some of the sample charges jailbirds can face?
Snitches and jailbirds are free to create their own phony charges as long as they are in good humor and taste. Please note that Keystone Cops and the Judge read the charges to the jailbird at the time of sentencing. UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail is meant to be fun, so please keep with the spirit of the event and keep the charges in good humor and respectful of the jailbird.
- Fashion citation for bad wardrobe
- Theft of office pens
- Wearing pant pockets too high
- Insulting staff's intelligence
- Aging too quickly and not looking the part
- Failure to purchase lunch for staff
- Trafficking caffeine
- Golf fraud
- Failure to show up for work on time
- Operating a tongue without a license
- Assault with a deadly wit
- Failure to yield at the end of a sentence
- Indecent exposure from the neck up
- Impersonating an executive
Jailbird and snitch registration questions
How do I register as a jailbird for the UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail?
Please email Chris Dickson, dickson@utdallas.edu, or Darlene Coppage, drc015000@utdallas.edu
Can I register a jailbird on the day of the event?
Yes. You can nominate a jailbird for any location up to the start of the event by phone or email. We encourage jailbirds and snitches to register in advance so they have plenty of time to raise bail and work out the arrest details.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a $1 fee / donation required to complete a warrant application. All proceeds go to our Jail-n-Bail scholarships.
How do I raise money?
Once you register for the UT Dallas Jail-N-Bail, you will have access to fundraising tools to help you get the word out about your efforts.
Remember, the more money you raise ahead of time, the less time you have to spend in jail.
Updated: August 4, 2008
