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 institutionalization for many
individuals with mental illness.
Budgetary Constraints:
State governments faced increasing financial pressures, and maintaining extensive,
often aging state hospital facilities became costly.
Development of Psychiatric
Medications: New medications made it possible to manage
symptoms of mental illness outside of institutional settings.
Consequences of Closures:
Increased Homelessness: Many
individuals discharged from state hospitals struggled to find adequate housing
and support in the community.
The strain on Community
Mental Health Systems: Community-based mental health services
were often underfunded and ill-equipped to handle the influx of individuals
needing care.
Criminalization of Mental
Illness: A disproportionate number of individuals with mental
illness end up in the criminal justice system due to a lack of appropriate
treatment and support.
Studies and Findings:
Some studies have found a
correlation between deinstitutionalization and increased incarceration rates,
particularly among individuals with mental illness.
A study published in the
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (1984)
found that while deinstitutionalization occurred, the percentage of prison
admittees with prior mental hospitalization varied across states, suggesting a
complex relationship.
Research by the Prison Policy
Initiative shows that a significant portion of the incarcerated
population has mental health needs, highlighting the potential impact of
inadequate mental health care in the community.
Other Contributing Factors:
Changes in Sentencing Laws:
Harsher sentencing laws and policies, such as mandatory minimums, have increased
incarceration rates.
War on Drugs: The
focus on drug-related offenses has disproportionately affected marginalized
communities and led to higher incarceration rates.
Socioeconomic Factors:
Poverty, lack of education, and limited access to opportunities can increase
the likelihood of involvement in crime.
Conclusion:
While the closure of state
hospitals and deinstitutionalization may have contributed to the rise of crime
and incarceration, particularly among individuals with mental illness, it’s
crucial to recognize the complex interplay of various factors. A
comprehensive approach addressing mental health care, substance abuse
treatment, social support, and criminal justice reform is necessary to tackle
this issue effectively.
The history of incarceration
in the United States from 1955 to 2023 is characterized by a
significant and sustained increase in the prison population, followed by a
recent trend of modest decline. This period has seen several significant shifts
in policy, public opinion, and social factors that have shaped the landscape of
incarceration.
1955-1970s: Relative
Stability
1955, the prison population
was relatively stable, hovering around 200,000 individuals.
This period fluctuated due to
factors like the Civil Rights Movement and changing attitudes towards crime and
punishment.
However, the overall
incarceration rate remained relatively low compared to later decades.
1980s-2000s: The Era of Mass
Incarceration
This period marked a dramatic
shift in US incarceration policy, driven by several factors:
The War on Drugs: This
policy led to a significant increase in drug-related arrests and sentences,
disproportionately impacting communities of color.
“Tough on Crime”
Policies: Mandatory minimum sentences, “three strikes”
laws, and other punitive measures contributed to longer prison terms.
Changes in Parole and
Probation: Stricter parole and probation conditions led to higher reincarceration
rates.
As a result, the prison
population skyrocketed, reaching a peak of over 2.3 million individuals in
2008.
This period also saw the
expansion of private prisons and the increased use of solitary confinement.
2010s-Present: Modest Decline
and Reform Efforts
In recent years, there has
been growing bipartisan recognition of the social and economic costs of mass
incarceration.
Some states and the federal
government have implemented reforms aimed at reducing the prison population:
Sentencing Reform:
Reducing mandatory minimum sentences and increasing opportunities for parole
and probation.
Decriminalization of Certain
Offenses: Legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana and other
low-level offenses.
Increased Focus on
Rehabilitation: Investing in programs that address the root
causes of crime and support successful reentry into society.
These efforts have led to a
modest decline in the prison population, which stood at around 1.8 million in
2023.
Key Takeaways:
The US has the highest
incarceration rate in the world, with a disproportionate impact on communities
of color.
The rise of mass
incarceration has had significant social and economic consequences, including
family disruption, increased poverty, and decreased economic opportunity.
Recent reforms have shown
some promise in reducing the prison population, but much work remains to
address the root causes of crime and create a more equitable and just criminal
justice system.
Disclaimer:
The Great Unraveling: How the
Fall of State Hospitals Led to Overcrowded Prisons is a historical analysis and
social commentary work. The views and opinions expressed within
are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any
institutions, organizations, or individuals mentioned within.
While every effort has been
made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, readers are
encouraged to consult multiple sources and form their conclusions. The author
and any affiliated parties assume no responsibility for any actions taken based
on the information contained within.
This work may contain
descriptions or discussions of sensitive topics, including mental illness,
incarceration, and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Further Information:
To learn more about the
history of incarceration in the US, you can consult resources from:
The Sentencing Project: https://www.sentencingproject.org/
The Marshall Project: https://www.themarshallproject.org/
Vera Institute of Justice: https://www.vera.org/
Bureau of Justice Statistics: https://bjs.ojp.gov/
Resources:
PubMed: Hospital closure in
the United States, 1976-1980: a descriptive overview: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6360955/
SpringerLink: Closing of a
state hospital: An overview and framework for a case study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02287270
While there isn’t one
comprehensive source for yearly statistics on state hospital closures, the
resources above provide valuable insights into the trends and impacts of this
complex issue.
Northwestern University
School of Law publishes the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. You
can access the journal through their website or legal databases like HeinOnline
or Westlaw. You might find the specific 1984 article by searching within those
databases.
Northwestern University
School of Law Website:
Journal of Criminal Law and
Criminology: https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/
Other Resources:
HeinOnline: (Subscription
required)
Westlaw: (Subscription
required)
Your local or university
library May provide access to legal databases.
This is a general overview,
and the situation may vary significantly from state to state.
