FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tatum Pritchard
tpritchard@dlc-ma.org
Disability Law Center Report Calls for Transfer of Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health Immediately
July 30, 2024
Today, the Disability Law Center (DLC) released a public report discussing findings and recommendations from its intensive monitoring of Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) from January to June 2024. As Massachusetts’ Protection and Advocacy agency, DLC has federal authority to monitor facility conditions and investigate abuse and neglect of the persons with disabilities committed to BSH. DLC issued a private report to select government officials on July 23.
In the report, DLC offers two critical recommendations: (1) the Commonwealth must immediately transfer authority over BSH to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) from the Department of Correction (DOC) and (2) the Commonwealth must urgently construct a new DMH hospital to serve the BSH population.
After a decade of onsite presence, extensive document review, and regular contact with BSH patients, staff, and administrators revealing persistent legal violations, abuse, and subpar care within BSH, it is clear that no other actions will protect the rights and health of the BSH population. Moreover, application of DMH rules and regulations to all individuals receiving forensic mental health evaluations and treatment is a necessary step toward health equity. It is time to recognize and begin addressing the undeniable link between the systemic racism in our mental health and criminal systems and the significant overrepresentation of Black and African American individuals at BSH.
Addressing a broad range of topics, the report offers important updates about continuing violations of Massachusetts restraint law in BSH restraint and seclusion practices – notable among them, a discussion about the over 900,000 undocumented seclusion hours individuals endure locked in prison cells each year due to its status as a DOC prison, rather than a DMH hospital. Other sections include discussions about the lack of clarity in the “strict security” standard permitting determinations grounded in bias; the dangerous hot and humid conditions within BSH this summer; continuing mold contamination; issues with access to medications for opioid use disorder and medical care; and continuity of care for people discharged from BSH.
“Stopping the illegal and inhumane practices detailed in repeated DLC reports and lawsuits over the last ten years requires transferring care of the BSH population to DMH,” said Tatum A. Pritchard, Director of Litigation of DLC. “While DLC understands that the transition between agencies will be difficult, the individuals with mental health disabilities who are involuntarily committed to BSH cannot and should not have to wait any longer.”
“DLC urges the Commonwealth to take immediate action to ensure that the BSH population can access appropriate psychiatric services in facility run by our state mental health authority.” said Barbara L’Italien, Executive Director of DLC.
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