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The Great Unraveling: How the Fall of State Hospitals Led to Overcrowded Prisons The closure of state hospitals in the United States began in the mid-20th century, primarily due to the deinstitutionalization movement and the introduction of psychiatric medications. This process continued through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. However, specific statistics on the number of closures per year can be challenging to find. Here’s an overview and some available data: 1955: The peak of the state hospital population, with approximately 560,000 patients. 1960s-1970s: Deinstitutionalization gains momentum, significantly reducing state hospital populations. 1970-1990: Approximately 14 state hospitals closed. 1990-present: An acceleration of closures, with 40 state hospitals closing between 1990 and 2010. This trend has likely continued, though precise figures for recent years are more complex. Factors Contributing to Closures: Deinstitutionalization: The belief that community-based care is preferable to