Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital

Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital was a public hospital in Marlboro Township, New Jersey that was operated by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. It was in operation from 1931 until 1998, when it was closed following a long history of alleged patient abuse, neglect, and scandal.

History

The hospital was opened in 1931, during a time when the mental health field was still in its infancy. The hospital was designed to be a self-sufficient community, with its own farm, power plant, and staff housing. At its peak, it housed over 800 patients.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the hospital was the subject of numerous investigations into patient abuse and neglect. These investigations led to a series of reforms and changes in the way the hospital was run. Despite these changes, allegations of abuse and neglect continued to plague the hospital.

In 1998, the New Jersey Department of Human Services announced that the hospital would be closed. The closure was part of a larger trend towards deinstitutionalization, in which patients with mental illnesses are treated in community settings rather than in large institutions.

Facilities

The hospital was located on a 468-acre campus in Marlboro Township. The campus included a number of buildings, including patient wards, staff housing, a power plant, and a farm. The hospital was designed to be a self-sufficient community, with patients participating in a variety of activities and work programs.

Controversies

Throughout its history, Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital was the subject of numerous controversies and scandals. These included allegations of patient abuse and neglect, as well as financial mismanagement. In the 1970s and 1980s, the hospital was the subject of several investigations by the New Jersey Department of Human Services and other agencies. These investigations led to a series of reforms and changes in the way the hospital was run.

Closure

The hospital was closed in 1998, following a decision by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The closure was part of a larger trend towards deinstitutionalization, in which patients with mental illnesses are treated in community settings rather than in large institutions. The hospital's closure was met with opposition from some quarters, including from some of the hospital's staff and from local residents who were concerned about the impact on the local economy.

See also

• List of hospitals in New Jersey
• Mental health in the United States