DA Boudin and Rachel are joined by Tim Black of the renowned CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) program in Oregon, an innovative program that provides alternatives to policing by sending trained mental health first responders to handle crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and addiction. DA Boudin, Rachel and Tim talk about the criminalization of mental illness throughout the legal system and explore ways the system can better help those struggling with mental health and addiction. Tim shares specific examples from his work with CAHOOTS to help rethink how our legal system should respond to someone in crisis and the group discusses ways to balance public safety concerns with the need to treat those who are mentally ill with dignity and respect.

 

For more information:

• To learn more about CAHOOTS, check out the White Bird Clinic's website.
• The Daily Show interview with Tim Black, "What Does Defunding the Police Look Like?"
• Piece in The Atlantic on CAHOOTS
• CNN piece on CAHOOTS
• Radio interview on KZSC with Tim Black
• Mental Health America information on the intersection between mental health and criminal justice
• National Alliance on Mental Illness article, "Criminal Justice Reform Means Reforming the Mental Health System"
• Prison Policy Initiative statistics on the intersection of incarceration and mental health
• have-become-warehouses-for-the-mentally-ill.html"> Slate article, "Prisons Have Become America's New Asylums"