U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Special Litigation Section
Mental Health Facilities
The Section has investigated more than 35 state or local mental health
facilities under the authority of CRIPA. In investigating mental
health facilities, the Section has addressed an array of issues relating
to the health, safety and treatment of those confined in state-run mental
health facilities in a number of states. This includes efforts by
facility staff to protect residents from abuse by staff and violence at
the hands of other residents; freedom from unreasonable and abusive restraints;
adequate treatment and prevention for suicidal and self-mutilating behavior;
and ensuring the basic sanitation and safety of the facility itself.
The cases often involve issues surrounding sufficient levels of professional
staffing, the adequacy of treatment planning, and the proper administration
and monitoring of psychiatric medications. Of special concern has
been the use of restraint and isolation in mental health facilities, including
both the unnecessary use of restraint for convenience of staff and dangerous
methods of restraint that can pose life-threatening risks to patients.
Finally, cases in mental health facilities often involve review of the
adequacy of discharge planning and necessary support services when patients
return to the community.
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Last updated October 20, 1999