Do you believe in investing in solutions that have been proven to increase the safety and well-being of our communities? We do. Decades of research have shown that putting money into jails does not make our communities safer, and can actually cause more harm. That's why we, as Healing Not Handcuffs, a collaboration between Eugene-Springfield Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and the Eugene-Springfield chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), are opposed to Measure 20-340, which would allocate $22+ million annually towards the jail and youth detention in Lane County.
We believe that communities are safer when everyone's basic needs are met, rather than when there are more jail beds. Affordable housing, good schools, access to healthcare, and jobs that pay a living wage are all factors that can reduce crime before it occurs. When people's needs are met, they don't need to resort to survival crimes. Moreover, when there's meaningful mental health care available, some illnesses can be corrected before actual harm is done. It's difficult to imagine how someone can heal while in jail, which is why we advocate for investing in alternatives to incarceration that prioritize restorative justice and other forms of accountability.
Let's work towards creating safer communities by investing in solutions that address the root causes of crime. Join us in opposing Measure 20-340 this May.
Lane County, Oregon, like many places in the United States, has struggled to find effective alternatives to jail for individuals with mental health issues or substance abuse problems. Alternatives to jail programs in Lane County are still in the process of being developed and expanded. However, there are a few notable programs and initiatives that are making strides towards providing alternatives to incarceration:
These programs and initiatives demonstrate a growing recognition of the need for alternatives to jail in Lane County, and a commitment to providing compassionate and effective care for those in crisis.
To support our vision for a safer and healthier community in Lane County, please consider donating to our organization. Let's work together to create a Lane County where everyone can thrive.
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The jail levy is set to provide a substantial amount of funding, ranging from $22 million to $25 million dollars annually, for the next five years. To put this into perspective, it's equivalent to spending $23 million a year to add 242 extra jail beds on top of the existing 125 beds. However, there are alternative ways to utilize this money for the betterment of the community. If you were in charge of spending $23 million a year to promote community safety, what would you purchase annually?
A large proportion of individuals who are held in Lane County Jail are accused of non-violent crimes, such as disorderly conduct, trespassing, or driving uninsured. It's also crucial to acknowledge that most people in jail are being held before their trial and are therefore not yet convicted of a crime.
Category | Count |
---|---|
Total Inmates | 312 |
Non-violent Offenders | 199 |
Total Violent Offenders | 113 |
Violent Felonies | 91 |
Violent Misdemeanors | 22 |
Measure 11 | 84 |
Murder | 16 |
Last update: 2023-05-28 6:00 AM