About Us

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.

Alternatives to Jail

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:

• CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets): A mobile crisis intervention program run by the White Bird Clinic that provides mental health and substance abuse crisis services as an alternative to police intervention.
• White Bird Clinic: A non-profit organization in Eugene that offers a variety of services, including counseling, medical care, and crisis intervention.
• Lane County Stabilization Center: An upcoming facility that will provide short-term care and stabilization for people experiencing a mental health crisis, as an alternative to jail or emergency room visits.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions