FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
August 27, 2024
Statement of Opposition for Criminalizing Homelessness
Washington, DC: Doctors for America (DFA) opposes the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, who determined that the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Eighth Amendment is not prohibitory to the city of Grants Pass imposing criminal punishment against people experiencing homelessness and found camping outside. The ruling, though not directly enacting federal laws, removes a large legal obstacle that previously protected the homeless community from being fined, ticketed, or arrested by local law enforcement.
Previous attempts to criminalize homelessness have demonstrated damning effects on those being punished such as worsened mental health outcomes, higher frequencies of assault between individuals looking for isolated spaces, and increased incidences of disease or injury due to weather exposure. It is also well documented that chronic conditions in the homeless population, such as Substance Use Disorder (SUD), are effectively managed through harm reduction programs through shelters or hospitals, where individuals may also receive pharmacological interventions to treat SUD. By punishing people for camping outside, they are barred from accessing these interventional programs and are likely to suffer from withdrawal symptoms or further complications. There are many mental and physical health effects that can ensure when homelessness is criminalized.
Laws such as these typically result in disproportionate punishment for minority groups, especially those who are members of black and indigenous community. Investigations into the outcomes of convicted persons after their release don’t suggest that these laws will improve rates of homelessness, as a criminal record often prevents an individual from gaining access to quality legal representation, job opportunities, and housing assistance.
By opening the door to allowing the criminalization of homelessness in cities across America, the Supreme Court has made the homeless population even more vulnerable than they already are. The health, well-being, and future of these people must be prioritized through Housing First-style initiatives that seek to reduce dangers, not add to them. It is for these reasons that Doctors for America strongly opposes the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson.
About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America mobilizes doctors and medical students to be leaders in putting patients over politics to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. We are 27,000 physicians and medical students in all 50 states, representing all areas of specialization. Our impact areas focus on access to affordable care, community health and prevention, and health justice and equity. DFA focuses solely on what is best for our patients, not on the business side of medicine, and does not accept any funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies; which uniquely positions DFA as the organization that puts patients over politics and patients over profits. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on X @drsforamerica.