Care Not Cuffs

Care Not Cuffs is a national campaign dedicated to building healthier, safer communities by rallying the nation to respond to those who suffer from unmet mental health needs with health care instead of criminalization and imprisonment. Who Care Not Cuffs, a campaign by The Equitas Project of Mental Health Colorado, is a growing coalition of public defenders, prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officials, policymakers, health professionals, and activists uniting to ensure we respond to unmet mental health needs with healthcare instead of punishment. How Care Not Cuffs works to decriminalize our nation’s response to mental health needs by recognizing and encouraging the work of those practicing care not cuffs in their communities and sharing tools to empower others to take up the torch. Why The country’s failed health and justice systems treat people with unmet mental health needs like criminals, waste human and financial capital, and harm the health, safety and prosperity of our nation.