Jackson County needs a new jail; there is little dispute about that. But voters took issue with the plan presented for a new jail and its funding in the May election, sending the proposal to a resounding defeat.
One of the points of opposition revolved around mental health services that would be delivered to the community, so people in crisis would not end up in jail instead of treatment. The regional chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI-Southern Oregon, already has some proposals on how it would like to see the county move ahead.
NAMI-SO's Pam Ames explains the wish list and the path ahead.