Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane

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Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane - Matteawan Asylum - exercise yard for men LCCN2014680065 (cropped).jpg
Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane - Men's room, Matteawan Asylum LCCN2014680061 (cropped).jpg
1926 aerial photo of Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane - New York - Matteawan - NARA - 68145113 (cropped).jpg
1926 aerial photo of Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane - New York - Matteawan New York - Matteawan - NARA - 68145117 (cropped).jpg

Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane was a psychiatric hospital located in Beacon, New York. It was established in 1892 and operated until its closure in 1977. The hospital was specifically designed to house and treat individuals who were deemed criminally insane.

History[edit | edit source]

The hospital was founded in response to the increasing need for specialized facilities to treat mentally ill individuals who had committed crimes. Prior to the establishment of Matteawan, such individuals were often housed in regular prisons, where they did not receive appropriate psychiatric care.

Facilities and Treatment[edit | edit source]

Matteawan State Hospital was equipped with various facilities to provide comprehensive care to its patients. The hospital included wards for different levels of security, treatment rooms, and recreational areas. The treatment methods evolved over the years, incorporating both medical and psychological therapies.

Notable Incidents[edit | edit source]

Throughout its history, Matteawan State Hospital was the site of several notable incidents, including escapes and violent episodes. These incidents often drew public attention and highlighted the challenges of managing a population of criminally insane individuals.

Closure[edit | edit source]

The hospital was closed in 1977 as part of a broader movement to deinstitutionalize mental health care in the United States. Many of its patients were transferred to other facilities or released into community-based programs.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The site of the former hospital has since been repurposed for various uses. The history of Matteawan State Hospital remains a significant chapter in the development of mental health care and criminal justice in New York State.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD