NCJ Number
46938
Date Published
1977
Length
1147 pages
Annotation
A TRANSCRIPT IS PROVIDED OF HEARINGS DESIGNED TO SECURE FOR INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS THE CIVIL RIGHTS GUARANTEED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE FEDERAL CODE.
Abstract
ACADEMICIANS, SOCIAL WORKERS, INSTITUTIONAL PERSONNEL, REPRESENTATIVES OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS POLITICIANS AND MEDIA CORRESPONDENTS TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION. PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THE PROBLEMS OF ABUSE FACED BY INSTITUTIONALIZED CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY THE MENTALLY ILL, ARE PROVIDED; I.E., SUBSTANDARD AND UNSANITARY LIVING CONDITIONS, NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICAL DEPRIVATION, LACK OF TREATMENT OR REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, AND ASSAULT BY OTHER INMATES AND THE STAFF. THE OBSERVATIONS OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS ARE ALSO INCLUDED, ALONG WITH THE FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE RESEARCHED THE SITUATION OF INSTITUTIONALIZED AMERICANS. A VARIETY OF EXHIBITS ARE PROVIDED, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CONDITIONS IN MENTAL HOSPITALS, EXCERPTS FROM BOOKS AND MEDIA ARTICLES ON INSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS AND CLIENT ABUSE, A MANUAL OF STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR AVERSIVE THERAPY, AND STANDARDS FOR HEALTH SERVICES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PREPARED BY THE JAILS AND PRISON TASK FORCE OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION. THE TASK FORCE'S STANDARDS APPLY TO AN ASSORTMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, SERVICES FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS, DENTAL AND PHARMACY SERVICES, AND NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDED STATEMENTS, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, AND JUDICIAL CITATIONS. TABULAR DATA AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROVIDED. REFERENCES AND SOURCE NOTATIONS ACCOMPANY SOME OF THE REPORTS. (KBL)