According to the report, “due to the closure of the state’s corrections facilities, as well as a lack of beds and services for these types of patients, many forensic and court involved patients are being admitted to state operated facilities without appropriate staffing and security protocols. There are now safety issues for these and other patients.
The White Paper describes the situation as series and harmful since these facilities, are compromising the care of patient populations. It has led to an unprecedented level of violence against staff and patients, resulting in significant harm to those in the facilities. There are hundreds of lost days due to staff injuries and continual assaults of patients. The inability to create secure environments has also resulted in many of these patients eloping from the facilities, thus endangering the surrounding communities, and even necessitating school lockdowns.”
In releasing the paper, the unions make clear that immediate changes are required, stating, “As organizations representing the fron-tline caregivers at our state-operated behavioral health facilities, the MNA and SEIU 509 call on the state to do what it has failed to do over the last decade, which is to formally acknowledge the unique needs for the specialized care of the forensic population, while also acknowledging the need to restore a safe environment for the continuing care patients. Under no circumstances should we accept the status quo, which mixes these populations to the detriment of all concerned.”
The report provides specific recommendations as to what is needed to address this crisis and improve care for both forensic and non-forensic patients. State legislation introduced at the urging of unions includes H2228/S1408- An Act providing improved appropriate care for certain populations within the state mental health hospital system.
